12 May 2014
Press ReleasesJames Cowper Kreston Partner and Head of the Technology team Sue Staunton has swapped the office for dancing shoes and the stage to compete in this year’s Strictly Oxford dance-off final at Oxford’s New Theatre.
Sue was one of 16 dancers leading the way in the annual dance event, held on Sunday 27 April, to raise money for Vale House nursing home in Sandford-on-Thames that provides state-of-the-art care and quality of life for sufferers of dementia and invaluable support to their families.
Partnered with professional and semi-professional dancers from Step By Step Dance School, the contestants had to perform a cha-cha-cha and a tango as well as a freestyle dance of their own choice. The final was hosted by TV personality Christopher Biggins and judged by BBC Radio Oxford’s Bill Heine.
Sue unfortunately did not win this year’s Strictly Oxford crown, which went to head teacher, Lynn Knapp of Windmill School in the City.
Sue said “The whole Strictly experience was amazing and I met some great people with whom I had a lot of fun over the six weeks of practice - although with upwards of 6 hours a week it was a bit of a challenge to fit it in!
“My dance partner, Nick Li, was endlessly patient and unfailingly polite - as well as extremely talented, which helped me to look a lot better than when I was a child in ballet classes. Most importantly, however, we are on target to raise over £25,000 in aid of carehome, Vale House."
A number of James Cowper Kreston staff and their families attended the evening to support Sue.
Andy Cowie, James Cowper Kreston’s Marketing and Business Development Director said: “The standard of dancing at the this year event was excellent, as was the atmosphere in the Theatre on the evening. Sue danced really well and did herself proud. The long hours that she put in, whilst juggling other work and personal commitments, was apparent as she glided, and on a couple of occasions was lifted, across the stage.
“Ok, I may be a bit biased, but I thought that she was very unlucky not to make it into the final five dance off. A really enjoyable evening, supporting a really worthwhile course - well done Sue.”
Strictly Oxford organiser Jane Cranston said: “We started Strictly Oxford three years ago and have been amazed at how big it has grown. Last year we raised over £40,000 and we are on target to raise more this time around.”
