Fancy fundraising footwork brought a staggering weekend windfall for a Tayside counselling charity.
Kingennie country resort, near Dundee, hosted the area’s own glittering version of Strictly Come Dancing and a sell-out success has brought a £30,000 boost for the valuable work of Insight with clients in Dundee and Angus.
A host of well-known figures from the Tayside community stepped up months ago to volunteer for the event and they impressed the 300-strong audience with their Saturday night talent not least a judging panel headed by larger-than-life celebrity Christopher Biggins and top dancer Mathew Cutler, a former winner of the hit television series.
Insight fundraiser Carroll Gibson said she had been flabbergasted by the success of the evening and the generosity of supporters in the lead-up to the event and on the night.
She said: ”It was an absolutely spectacular night, unbelievable.
”I wanted to try and raise £20,000, but it looks like we have cleared £30,000 for Insight, which is just fantastic.”
Radio Tay station director Gary Robinson and journalist Maureen Young hosted the gala affair, and the TV show format ensured the dancers were able to show off their moves to the maximum for the enjoyment of an extremely vocal audience.
In the end Libby Forbes and John Devine waltzed off with the Strictly for Insight winners’ trophy, but they were made to work every step of the way by their fellow competitors.
”My goodness they could all dance,” added Carroll.
Insight operates from two main offices at Little Cairnie Hospital in Arbroath and Dundee’s South Tay Street, helping people suffering from difficulties including abuse, family problems, bereavement and suicidal thoughts.