Strictly NHS is a ballroom based charity event developed to raise money for the health service.

Bradley Setchell from Nottingham’s Children’s hospital has been selected as a finalist for an NHS Strictly Come Dancing competition.

 

Two thousand people applied for the chance to work alongside a professional dancer to help raise £10,000 for NHS charities. The competition will be judged by a panel of four professional dancers from the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

Bradley works at Nottingham’s Children’s hospital as a critical-care nurse and is one of the 12 finalists across the country taking part in the dance competition. Setchell said working at the hospital through the winter has been extremely challenging but he is proud of what the NHS has achieved so far.

“I think the level of togetherness and comradery that is currently being felt in the NHS is pretty remarkable”
Bradley setchell, nurse and finalist of strictly Nhs

The 25-year-old said he was overwhelmed with the support he has been receiving but the dancing journey so far has not been easy.

 

The event is due to be held at the Crown Ballroom in Blackpool at the end of February and will be broadcast on television. Owner and organiser Alison Singer, 33, said the competition was her way of giving back to the NHS workers risking their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We wanted to give back, raise positivity and give some people a little bit of a sparkle” – Alison Singer

“I’m not particularly medically-minded but I do know how to put on a show, that’s my background”
ALISON SINGER, organiser of event

Alison has had to make all the dance lessons for the finalists virtual because of lockdown restrictions. The 33-year-old said teaching dance online has not been easy but as time has gone on its become a lot better now that she understands the technology.

“Lessons are either being pre-recorded so people can access them when it’s suitable for them or we’re doing zoom-call lessons”
ALISON SINGER, organiser of event

However, Alison hopes when lockdown ends the finalists will be able to have face-to-face lessons in a studio with their professional dance partners if the public health situation is safe enough to do so.

Bradley has chosen Blue skies hospital fund as his charity and you can help him by donating to his just-giving page.

For more information about the event visit the Strictly NHS facebook to find out how you can get involved as the nation’s heroes hit the dance floor.