First-Ever Strictly Knot Dancing Raises Over £130,000 for Dougie Mac

The debut of Strictly Knot Dancing proved to be a phenomenal success, bringing together sparkle, emotion, and an overwhelming sense of community spirit — all in aid of Dougie Mac Hospice.

Held last Friday, the sold-out event welcomed 650 guests for a glittering evening of dance and fundraising, as 12 contestants took to the floor with their professional partners to compete for the prestigious Glitterball Trophy. Together, they helped raise over £130,000, with donations still coming in — an extraordinary achievement for a first-time event.

The evening was the brainchild of Knot Events, a collective of local businesswomen passionate about giving back to their community and supporting charitable causes through creative, high-profile events. Their vision, teamwork, and determination brought the idea of Strictly Knot Dancing to life — and its success has firmly established it as one of the region’s standout fundraising events.

The event was brilliantly hosted by Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at the University of Staffordshire, supported by Josie Morris, CEO of Woolcool, who kept the audience entertained and the energy high throughout the night. A distinguished panel of judges — Dougie Mac’s CEO David Webster, Champion Boxer Nathan Heaney, Professional Ballroom and Latin Dancer Oliver Hand, and strictly legends Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova — brought expertise, humour, and plenty of sparkle to the judging table, adding to the fun and excitement of the competition.

The atmosphere on the night was electric, with the audience cheering on each brave contestant as they showcased weeks of hard work and dedication. The night’s winners, Gareth Higgins and his professional dance partner Beth Keeble, lifted the Glitterball Trophy in a deeply emotional moment. Gareth’s sister had sadly passed away earlier in the week at Dougie Mac, making his victory particularly poignant and a powerful tribute to the hospice’s care and compassion.

The event was proudly supported by headline sponsor Franklyn, alongside valued partners including The Sanctuary Dance School, University of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, whose generosity helped make the night such a resounding success.

Dougie Mac relies on donations and community fundraising for around 75% of its income, meaning events like Strictly Knot Dancing play a crucial role in helping the hospice continue its vital work supporting local patients and families.

David Webster, CEO of Dougie Mac, said:

“What an incredible show of generosity and community spirit. We’re absolutely thrilled by the amazing support shown for Dougie Mac — it truly means the world to us. The funds raised will make a real and lasting difference to the patients and families who rely on our care. On behalf of everyone at Dougie Mac, I’d like to thank all those who helped make this such a memorable and meaningful event.”

Sarah Mellor, organiser of Strictly Knot Dancing and member of Knot Events, added:

“We’re absolutely over the moon with the success of our very first Strictly Knot Dancing event. To have raised such an incredible amount and to see how much joy it brought to everyone involved is just fantastic. None of this would have been possible without our amazing contestants, professional dancers, sponsors, and partners — their enthusiasm and dedication made it truly special.”

Following the huge success of Strictly Knot Dancing, Knot Events are already preparing for their next fundraising challenge — Knot A Sports Day, taking place in June 2026. Supporters are encouraged to save the date and get ready for another fun-filled community event, all in aid of local charities.

Strictly Knot Dancing has not only raised an exceptional amount for a vital local cause but has also captured the hearts of the community — setting the stage for what promises to become one of Staffordshire’s most anticipated annual fundraising events.

Those who still wish to support this year’s fundraising efforts can donate via the event’s JustGiving page – www.justgiving.com/page/strictlyknotdancing2025