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00:00Welcome to the Strictly for a Cause podcast. Today we're joined by some of our organisers,
00:07Carrie and Wendy. Welcome. Hello. How are you both doing today? How are you, Wendy?
00:12I'm good, thank you. Yes, super busy, as it always is at this time in the lead up to Strictly,
00:18but yeah, all good. And yourself, Carrie, how are things?
00:22All good. Just ready for it to be here now, really. Yeah, ready to get the show on the road.
00:28So tell me, what is your job at the Highland Hospice?
00:31So I'm a fundraiser. I organise some events that we have in-house, Strictly being the biggest,
00:39and then also support people out in the community that want to fundraise on our behalf.
00:45So two sides to it, really. But yeah, Strictly is a big part of my role.
00:49So we work on it really from sort of September, October time up until the shows in May,
00:54and then there's obviously a bit of work post-shows to tie things up.
00:58So a couple of months, break really, and then back into Strictly for the following year.
01:03So it's almost year round.
01:05Pretty much, yeah.
01:06For you.
01:07Just that little break in summer.
01:09And then ready for the next.
01:12Yeah.
01:13And how about yourself, Wendy?
01:14I'm communications manager for the hospice, so I have a team of five, and we just look
01:21after all the comms for Highland Hospice, all the publicity needs, marketing, we do all
01:27the social media pages.
01:30And yeah, it's a very varied department.
01:33We've got a graphic designer, we've got a dedicated retail comms person, and we've got
01:39someone who deals with our care services.
01:41So yeah, we do lots.
01:43So I manage that team, but with Strictly, because there is so much communications and publicity
01:49involved, I've kind of just always been on board.
01:53I started at the hospice in 2010, just after the very first Strictly had taken place.
02:00So all by the first one, I've been on board.
02:04And so yeah, for Strictly, I don't really do the fundraising side.
02:08I look after the social media, the dealing with yourselves, you know, for profiles and
02:14photographs and so on, and currently trying to finish the event program and get that all
02:20signed off and over to you guys.
02:23And what would you say is your favorite part of being involved in Strictly?
02:27In the communication side of things, Wendy?
02:30Oh my goodness, that's quite a hard question.
02:34It is probably around this time when you actually see things coming together.
02:38That's probably not Strictly communications, but Carrie and I don't tend to see the individual
02:42dances.
02:43So we meet everybody at interview stage and also at our pairing night where you just see people
02:50shuffling around the room as you'll know yourself, not too sure of themselves.
02:54And it's just the transformation.
02:57So on show nights is when we, or during the rehearsals, it's when we actually see the
03:02dances for the first time.
03:03So we've always got a photographer there and we do a bit of media on the night and it's
03:07just amazing seeing the transformations, I think.
03:11That's the most rewarding part for me, I would say.
03:14Yeah, because you've got that big chunk of time from pairing night until the performance.
03:18Is it like watching completely different people?
03:20Oh, totally.
03:21Yeah.
03:22People look different.
03:23Sometimes people say hello to you and they're so glam in all their sparkles and their hair
03:28and their gorgeous dresses.
03:29And you're just like, wow, is that actually that person?
03:32So yeah, people completely transform and their confidence grows hugely as well.
03:37So yeah, it's great.
03:40You sort of follow the journey.
03:41You know, you're collecting profiles, in my role, collecting profiles on each person
03:46and finding out a little bit about them, why they've taken part, what their motivation
03:51is, how they're getting along the way, because sometimes there's bumps, as there is with any
03:56journey.
03:58But yeah, just to see it all come into practice at the end.
04:02That's amazing.
04:03Yeah.
04:04And have you got a particular highlight of it, Carrie?
04:07Yeah, I think just around this sort of stage of things as well, obviously on the fundraising
04:13side, we are coming to the end of all the dancers fundraising and seeing what our total
04:18is.
04:19So like for you guys as a group of people to have raised £125,000 up till now, we're
04:25just every year blown away by what an achievement and I totally understand all the hard work and
04:31time and effort that's gone into that.
04:32So when we come up to getting that final total, it's next week that I pull all the dancers
04:38totals and just actually seeing that and what everyone's achieved is always phenomenal.
04:44And I just love show weekend.
04:46Just the excitement of it all, seeing people's reactions that have not even been to the show
04:50before or seeing the way the rink looks and everything like that and the group excitement
04:55and also just the banter, seeing everyone getting on and just having the best weekend when it
05:01comes.
05:02Like people from all walks of life having a laugh together and just, yeah, this huge experience,
05:08just seeing it all come together and, you know, a lot of hard work goes into, of course,
05:13from the dancers and from all the organisers side of things too.
05:16So a lot of blood, sweat and tears.
05:18So to actually see it all come together and, you know, you always go away feeling like it
05:23was worth it when show weekend's passed and we've got that total and all had that experience
05:28and stuff together.
05:30And in terms of that money that we've raised so far, £125,000 we're sitting at, how will
05:36that make a difference to the Highlander Hospice?
05:39Well, such a massive difference, of course, to the hospice, but also the Isona side of things
05:43as well because it is 50-50 with the charities and from the rink side, they've got astronomical
05:51bills with increasing everything and just strictly is a lifeline really to keep the centre
05:58open and afloat.
06:00And then from the hospice side of things, it is our biggest event, our biggest fundraiser
06:04of the year.
06:04It's such an important part of our budget and just really ensures that we can keep offering
06:10the best possible care to our patients and their loved ones.
06:14Yeah.
06:15And does anybody who is in the hospice, do they get to come along to the event or have
06:19you, do you kind of live stream it for them?
06:22Yeah, they could if they were well enough.
06:25They're more than welcome, it shows.
06:27A nice part that happens is our celebrity judge always visits the hospice.
06:31So, of course, we've got the lovely Amy Dowden this year who is so closely connected to the
06:38cause with her own cancer journey.
06:39So, on the Saturday, she'll be heading over to meet, first of all, a group of our volunteers
06:45and clients that use the Helping Hands service.
06:49So, that's when people have like a life-limiting illness and their befriender will go in and
06:58visit.
06:59It might be to give their partner a bit of respite or to just give them a bit of extra company
07:03and stuff at home.
07:05So, both the patient and their volunteer befriender, we're having like a get-together and Amy's
07:12going to visit them, have a chat and spend some time with them in the marina.
07:17And then the celebrity always visits the inpatient unit as well.
07:21So, anyone that's well enough can have a visit and a bit of a chat with the dancer, photos
07:26and things like that.
07:27So, that's always a really nice part of the day.
07:29And it also connects the celebrity to the cause so they know what it's all about and what they're
07:36there for on the evening.
07:37Mm-hmm.
07:38Yeah, really demonstrates that.
07:40Yeah.
07:40Have you had a particular celebrity that's come along, Wendy, that you have been awestruck
07:46by or has there been a favourite person that's come?
07:49Eh, not awestruck.
07:51They've just been really down to earth, to be honest.
07:54The first year when we had Anton was pretty amazing because that was for our 10th anniversary
07:59and it was the first time that we'd trialled having a celebrity guest judge and the excitement
08:05was massive.
08:05Like, getting him out of the ice centre, I was kind of like standing behind him with
08:10security and people were literally grabbing my shoulders and throwing me out of the way
08:13to try and get a selfie with Anton Debeck, the lengths that women will go to.
08:21Probably Aliash and Jeanette were absolutely lovely.
08:24They were just so, so nice.
08:25They were so down to earth and chilled.
08:28So, yeah, they were lovely.
08:30And then Giovanni last year, to be honest, yeah, he was a very typical Italian gent, shall
08:36we say.
08:37But, yeah, they all bring different qualities and it just, it really lifts the show on the
08:42Saturday night, having that judge there.
08:45So, yeah, it's been a great addition.
08:47And like you've said, Carrie, but unless you're Amy Dowden, she's got that particular
08:51experience herself of having gone through cancer.
08:55And do you think that'll bring a different element to side of things?
08:57Yeah, definitely.
08:59I think already Carrie's had a conversation with Amy and she just gets it and she really
09:04wants to come to the hospice and become invested and, you know, meet our patients and just having
09:11that kind of empathy towards, you know, people who are using our services after everything
09:17that she's been through herself.
09:19Yeah, definitely.
09:20I think there'll be more of an understanding and obviously really passionate about the cause
09:25as well.
09:25Not that anyone hasn't been in the past.
09:28You know, obviously a hospice is a very worthwhile charity, but I think if you've had your own
09:33journey, it does make it all that more ponient for you.
09:36Mm-hmm.
09:37Yeah.
09:38And in terms of when Strictly comes along, you're obviously doing communications all year
09:43round.
09:43How much does your workload increase when Strictly arrives?
09:48Oh my goodness.
09:48I wish I could remember the figure.
09:50Our graphic designer, James, asked us to guess how many posters he's done for Strictly this
09:55year.
09:55Yeah, you need to know that.
09:56And the answer, I think it was 67.
10:00Wow.
10:01Okay.
10:02That's a lot.
10:02And that is just for dancers' events.
10:05But a lot of dancers, as you'll know, organize their own publicity and their own posters.
10:09So that is just people that have asked the hospice for a bit of support with their poster
10:13design.
10:14So that's one example.
10:17Yeah, just kind of, I suppose, lazing with yourselves.
10:20It's probably the biggest event, well, it is the biggest event that we laze with yourselves
10:24on.
10:25Getting photography done, launching tickets, the event programme, putting profiles in the
10:31paper.
10:32So yeah, there's a lot to it.
10:34But it is spread out.
10:35You know, we get a lot of it underway in January, in, yeah, the very start of January.
10:39And then we get a bit of a break, apart from James doing his posters, bless him, the whole
10:45way through.
10:46And then, yeah, right up to showtime.
10:49But this year, we've got our comms assistant, Neil, is actually taking part in Strictly.
10:55So yeah, I think he's been quite enjoying scheduling all the posts about the shows.
11:01Yeah, I think he's enjoyed it a lot more than he thought it was going to, the performance
11:05side of things as well.
11:07We were so shocked, weren't we, when Neil said he was going to do Strictly.
11:10We've asked him, as he says himself, pretty much at interview, will you do Strictly one
11:14year?
11:14And he's like, no, no, no.
11:16He's just, yeah, you'll see himself.
11:18He's quite a reserved guy.
11:19And he's, yeah, it's not something that you would imagine him doing.
11:24But he has just done phenomenally well.
11:28He's done great with his fundraising.
11:29He's liking the dancing.
11:30We were laughing one day when he came in and he was hobbling.
11:35We said, what have you done, your foot?
11:36And he said, I got super excited at my street dance.
11:41I'm like, Neil, that is one sentence I never thought I'd hear you say.
11:45So there you go.
11:46But yeah, he's, yeah, we're really proud of Neil.
11:48He's doing so well.
11:49Yeah, definitely.
11:51Yeah, nice to have one of your own.
11:52Does normally somebody from the hospice do it?
11:53Because Shirley is obviously also doing it from the Yower House.
11:56We have two hospice reps this year.
11:57So yeah, Shirley's been smashing it too.
12:00Yeah, they've both done amazing.
12:02We're super proud of them both.
12:03And yeah, we usually do have a hospice rep.
12:06Just kind of naturally happens every year.
12:09So yeah, two for the price of one.
12:10And they've both done great this year.
12:13And have either of you two ever done it?
12:15I have, yeah.
12:17What was your experience?
12:19So I think I must be about a life in years ago.
12:22So yeah, it was very different.
12:23And so I worked at the hospice then in the team, but I didn't organise the event.
12:29That would have been a bit much.
12:32But yeah, I think it's great that both myself and Karen, so before Karen even worked at the rink, she danced.
12:40It was just a couple of years after me.
12:43But I think it's really good that we've both actually taken part.
12:46So we genuinely do know how you all feel.
12:48And we know how much time, effort, hard work that it takes over your life.
12:54And the highs and lows, like we totally understand.
12:57And we could tweak a few things as well when we took over the event from both sides.
13:00From knowing the other side.
13:02And so like back in my day, the Perry night, it was horrible.
13:07We were in a dancer's studio and we just all got lined up against a wall.
13:12It was like the guys at the back and the girls just got lined up against them.
13:16And it was a couple of tutors and organisers.
13:20Which, you must have been one of them lines behind the flipboard.
13:25Just talking behind clipboards.
13:26And they'd sort of point and be like, you move there and you're just sort of standing sweaty.
13:30Being like, who's behind me?
13:31Who's my partner now?
13:33Because everyone's so nervous at Perry night.
13:35Even as it is.
13:37But that's sort of how people got paired up.
13:39So just try to make that a bit more relaxed and a bit more fun by actually bringing dance into it as well.
13:45And well, it's definitely nerve-wracking learning a few moves and still moving around the room and getting paired up that way.
13:51But, yeah, just not as much as standing up against the wall.
13:56So, yeah, there's been a few things from both mine and Karen's end that it does help that we know the process and we've been part of it to sort of change or understand how it is from that side of things too.
14:09But, yeah, loved it.
14:11And so did Karen.
14:13Yeah.
14:14And you honestly just know how quickly it does pass and that it's over before you know it.
14:19So, you know, we really mean it when you're like, just enjoy these last few weeks and enjoy the weekend and make sure you take it all in and stuff because, yeah, it is over before you know it.
14:28And then it's like Wednesday night at seven or whatever and you're like, I should be at my dance lesson.
14:32What am I doing with myself now?
14:34So, yeah, it has gone very quickly.
14:36Yeah, it does feel like we just started learning.
14:40And then I know I know a dance or a couple of dances, but I don't remember learning it.
14:46The process.
14:46Yeah.
14:47Yeah.
14:48I do remember, but it's, yeah, it's gone really quickly.
14:51Yeah.
14:51I think.
14:52But also, it feels like for it, it's strange, isn't it?
14:55Yeah, it's a funny time zone, strictly.
14:57It is a very funny time zone.
14:59But we can say that it does all come together and, like, we know that from personal experience too.
15:04But, yeah, every year, like, we sit there and watch just all amazing routines.
15:08So, when people are stressing or feel like things are not going quite right, we can hand on heart genuinely say that it does all come together and everyone goes out there looking great.
15:16Mm-hmm.
15:17Yeah.
15:18And, yeah, it's just, when this goes out, we'll be less than two weeks away.
15:23And when this podcast goes out, how many applications do you get each year for people wanting to be part of Strictly and Burness?
15:31So, it's usually about the hundred work or the 32 places.
15:35Yeah.
15:36So, a lot.
15:37And I think it's most secretly that it's a lot more females than males that apply.
15:44Yeah.
15:44We don't quite fully know the reasoning behind it.
15:48Sometimes males need that little bit of a bit of persuasion or to be told we need you.
15:54We're short on guys and then we'll get more male applications coming in and stuff.
15:58And we know that all the guys that do take part with it.
16:00Yeah, they do.
16:01But, yeah, we introduced same-sex couples, which, obviously, you're one of our same-sex couples this year.
16:07We introduced that a few years back.
16:08Which is sort of one of the reasons for that being that we were saying no to so many good female applications, especially.
16:17So, to take a couple more in there.
16:19Yeah.
16:20And that number as well, I think, of, like, the sort of hundred applications for, like, 32 places.
16:25Because, um, I don't know if that can kind of put people off sometimes as well.
16:29And they think, like, I'm never going to get in.
16:31I won't apply.
16:32But we do totally encourage it.
16:34Just, um, you know, chant your lack.
16:37And take time and effort on your form.
16:39Because we do see loads of forms that have the same thing written and stuff like that.
16:42But, um, that's just kind of any advice for people looking to apply.
16:47Totally sell yourself.
16:48If you've got fundraising ideas, go into that in detail.
16:51Put it down.
16:52What it would mean to you.
16:54And, you know, just explain to us that you're up for the commitment.
16:57And extra practice and all that sort of stuff, too.
16:59And that's kind of how you would make a form stand out in the crowd.
17:05Yeah.
17:05Just, yeah, make it stand out.
17:07Yeah.
17:07And in terms of fundraising, because that's what you're kind of behind.
17:13We've just got a couple of weeks to go.
17:15What is your last minute tips for people to boost their fundraising?
17:20Well, it's really funny, um, like a fundraiser telling people to stop fundraising as well.
17:25Um, and, uh, like, we've got a cut off just before the show's obviously to get your fans in.
17:31And people are like, can I put money in after that?
17:33And trying to squeeze lots of last bits and pieces in.
17:36Um, but you do sort of want people to just focus on the show and take a bit of time to
17:41themselves and stuff like that, too.
17:43Um, so there's definitely that side of things.
17:45But do you know what?
17:46Supermarket collections have done so well this year.
17:48People have been raising, like, 500 and over, um, bucket test goals and, uh, just shaking
17:55buckets and stuff like that.
17:56And with our good old Bobby the Bee mascot, um, one of the dancers had got over a thousand
18:01when she had some live music.
18:03Um, and one of them done, like, a free Bobby the Bee from the, the crate, um, by getting
18:08her many donations.
18:09So, stuff like that is, um, always a nice, easy way, sort of stress-free way to raise fans
18:15and good old Lucky Squares.
18:18Um, everyone loves the Lucky Squares and there's been some great prizes and stuff like that,
18:22too.
18:22Or just a final push for raffles, you know, we've got some good prizes like Bella Drum
18:26tickets and stuff for the, the group raffle that everyone's got access to, um, and just
18:32using socials is always a good one, um, with a couple of photos of your journey and, um,
18:38you know, just telling your friends and family.
18:41I'm sure a lot of them know, but just how much hard work you've put into all what the
18:45last couple of months have meant to you as, and you totally appreciate their support,
18:49but if anyone would like to dig deep again, then now's their time for, for final donations.
18:56Um, and I know that, um, some people maybe have goals and they've said stuff like their
19:01place of work and stuff, um, have said that they'll match up to what their goal is from
19:06what they're on now, um, just before the shows and stuff like that.
19:10So yeah, just a last minute shout on, on socials for any raffles or squares, um, but I just
19:17think everyone's done phenomenal up to now with, with what they've had done.
19:21So yeah, it's just in time to focus on dancing, focus on yourselves and, um, yeah, just be
19:27proud of all the fundraising and stuff that they've done up to now.
19:31And you talked there as well about sharing some pictures of your journey, which people
19:35have done a little stills, but as communications, Wendy, are you ever having a lot of
19:40and tell people, please don't put any videos out?
19:42Cause I know that's a thing because we just want to keep it all a surprise for the night.
19:45Do you ever have to go around to anybody?
19:47Well, we say that at the very start and the tutors will tell you that as well.
19:51You know, I know you'll know yourself that they film each dance each week so that you
19:55can see how you're getting on and go home and practice it.
19:58But yeah, we don't like any of that to be shared on social media.
20:01Um, same with outfits as well.
20:03We don't like any sort of sneak previews of the, of the outfits to go out cause it's all
20:07just for the nights.
20:09Um, and even with Thursday, Friday, it's always difficult cause you've got, you, you've got
20:14two couples who are doing the same dance, one couple on Friday on Thursday, one couple
20:17on Friday.
20:18And we do put snippets of that out, but that kind of works because the Friday couple quite
20:23often do the dance in a completely different way.
20:26Albeit the same moves, they'll have different outfits and they'll add their personality to
20:30it.
20:30So, um, yeah, we're not too concerned about that, but yeah, we do, um, we do police it
20:36a little bit.
20:37Yeah.
20:37Yeah.
20:38Quite right.
20:39Um, cause it is, you want it to be a surprise for people, don't you?
20:42All the work that you've kind of been doing behind the scenes.
20:46And what do you think is like the hardest part of being organisers for Strictly?
20:51Is it the people management side of things?
20:54Yes.
20:54That is it.
20:59Okay.
21:03Dancer breakdowns, is that it?
21:05Or just, yeah, people, um, management in general.
21:09Um, yeah.
21:10Yeah.
21:11So many, so many different people, like 32 different people from all different walks
21:15of life who've possibly never met each other before, um, throw them all in the room.
21:20It's a bit like the big brother house.
21:21You're going to get personalities.
21:22You're going to get, you know, more dominant people.
21:24You're going to get quieter people.
21:26You're going to get people who try harder, people who don't.
21:29And you just throw them all together and say, get on with each other and enjoy the journey
21:33until May.
21:34And obviously that's never going to be smooth.
21:36No, it's not.
21:37And there are occasions where it doesn't work out.
21:40Yeah.
21:40And that's hard as well.
21:41Oh, definitely.
21:42It's the hardest part.
21:44I think as well, we really try to get across at interview what a big commitment it is
21:48and, um, totally spell out, um, what people are signing up to.
21:53And that, um, you know, it does sort of take over your life for those months.
21:56And then, um, you know, you could have someone who's like, oh, I'm working away.
22:01So, you know, saying to their partner, I'll see you next weekend or whatever, when they're
22:06meant to have like two lessons in between.
22:08And, you know, it doesn't really work that way.
22:10License are absolutely mandatory.
22:12And yeah, just, um, that sort of people side of things as well.
22:17Just people fully understanding the commitment and maybe not totally appreciating what they're
22:22getting themselves into.
22:24But yeah, we are taking 32 totally different people and putting them into such a intense
22:28environment for a very long period of time.
22:31And we don't have any events.
22:34I can't think of any sort of other charity events locally or anything.
22:37Um, that, yeah, just has quite a, such a intense and long sort of.
22:45Like team working.
22:46Yeah.
22:47Like the nice factor guys are sort of doing their own thing.
22:50Um, you know, for a lot of events, you know, running or stuff like that.
22:54You're doing your own training.
22:56You've got your own challenge.
22:57You're sort of in your own lane with that there where this is all very much such a big
23:01team coming together.
23:03Um, but still a great experience.
23:04We're still selling it here.
23:07We are.
23:08It's great.
23:09It is great.
23:10And I think, because at the start as well, you have to, because it's not just, I missed
23:13the pairing line because I was sick.
23:15Is it you that pair them, people together?
23:17Or is it the teachers?
23:18It's the teachers.
23:19It's the teachers.
23:20You're there.
23:21Self and Carrie and Karen are in the room.
23:23Um, but it's usually Tina and Suzanne, Susie, that do the pairing.
23:27Okay.
23:28Um, they kind of, they play some music, teach a few basic dance steps and walk around the
23:33room seeing who's working together well, who's, who maybe needs a separated.
23:38They're really good at it, actually.
23:39It's amazing.
23:41Um, sometimes we see people paired together and think, oh gosh, we'd never have thought
23:44of that, but they look amazing.
23:46So, yeah, we're really glad it's not us.
23:48Yeah.
23:49Sometimes at interview you do think, oh, that person would be nice with this other person
23:53we spoke to today or whatever, and it can totally go the other way.
23:58And you can't see it any other way once it is the couple of the teachers have put together.
24:02Yeah.
24:03And you, but you do sometimes have to change at the start, because I know for me, I changed
24:07if you've got people dropping out or coming in.
24:09Yeah.
24:10There has to be.
24:11Is that first few weeks more stressful?
24:13Yeah, it is.
24:14Um, we can quite often have a bit of a, a rocky start, so, um, yeah, people, there might
24:21be dropouts, like by the time we give people places to start in training in January, we've
24:26got a couple of months there, and, um, you know, it can be things like changing jobs or
24:30the, the commitment fully sinking in and stuff like that.
24:35Um, so yeah, there are changes or even, um, sometimes scheduling doesn't work, so, um, you
24:42might think that people are going to be a good match, but actually training together
24:46won't work out.
24:48Um, so yeah.
24:49It's never quite smooth, the perry night, that's all your cup is, and that's how it's going
24:55to be when, by the time the show comes round.
24:57Mm-hmm.
24:58Yeah.
24:59Just like life, nothing smooth.
25:01Yeah.
25:02Tell us.
25:02Keeps us going.
25:03Keeps us going.
25:04Yeah.
25:05Keeps us entertained.
25:06Yes.
25:06Do you have a particular style of dance you like, Wendy?
25:10Is there one that you just love every year?
25:12Oh my goodness, um, oh, I cannot think, I quite like a Paso Doble, but they can be really
25:20nice and, um, quite dramatic, we've had quite a few winners doing, doing that style, uh, like
25:26a good Charleston as well, to be honest, they're all different every year, so, you know, a Charleston
25:32one year can look completely different the next, but I like the dramatic ones, you know, like
25:36the Paso, where they're quite mean and moody or whatever, yeah.
25:40Yeah.
25:40Lyrical as well, when it tells a story.
25:42Yeah.
25:43Yeah.
25:43Get your tissues out for our run.
25:45Aww.
25:46You're always beautiful.
25:48I hope.
25:48Always, yeah.
25:49So, and how about you, Carrie?
25:51Yeah, I think mine is lyrical, you know, um, quite often get goosebumps with that, um, and
25:57yeah, there's always just a couple certain routines that will give you that goosebumps, um, yeah,
26:02I think it is usually lyrical for me, I've had it with an American Smooth before, um, yeah,
26:09a couple of different ones, but yeah, I feel just, I don't know, give you that feeling and
26:13it is goosebumps and you're just like, wow, um, but yeah, excited to see your lyrical.
26:18Yeah, we watched somebody's American Smooth last night at their centre, they showed us
26:23a little glimpse, and I was quite emotional watching it, actually, because you're just seeing
26:28them when you've not seen their dance to then doing this beautiful performance, even, you
26:34know, without all the outfits, it's still just really special to, like, see how much
26:39everyone's done, and, like, work they've put in.
26:41Definitely is, it's very emotional, and it's totally different seeing people from group,
26:45because you kind of think you know how your group are as dancers, but people can look
26:50so different at group, um, to their individual dancers, so you just see them in a totally
26:55different light.
26:57Yeah, I am excited.
26:58Where does that come from?
26:59Yeah.
27:00I'm very excited to see everybody.
27:02Yeah.
27:02It'll be good.
27:03Now, just to finish off, what would be your one piece of advice to people now, Wendy, as
27:10we get into the final weeks, what's your advice for dancers?
27:13Just keep it together.
27:15Just, just hold on there.
27:18No, I think, um, I think just to not stress, because everybody has worked so hard, um, everybody
27:26does know their dances, they might not think they do, but they do, and, you know, emotions
27:30can run high coming closer to the shows, and I think just to try and take it all in your
27:36stride and make sure you're enjoying it, um, because if you're so stressed out for the
27:40whole weekend, you're going to regret it afterwards, um, you have to enjoy this experience, because
27:45it is, it is unique.
27:47You'll never do anything like this again, well, very unlikely you will, so I think just
27:51take it all in your stride and enjoy every minute, because it's phenomenal, it's such
27:55an experience.
27:57Yeah.
27:58And what would be your bit, Carrie?
27:59Yeah, I think focus on your shelves now, um, it's so easy to be like, how much has this
28:04couple raised, and how's their dancers looking, and stuff like that too, but just focus
28:08on you, you do you, and this is your time, so go for it, like, go and give it your all,
28:13this is what you've worked so hard for, um, and like Wendy says, enjoy every minute, um,
28:19I think it is kind of similar to a wedding day, like the big event, and it's kind of like
28:23an outer body experience, and the next day you sort of wake up, like, oh, what all happened
28:27yesterday, and how did that all go, and stuff, so I think just try and take some little moments
28:32to yourself in the day, and, um, like, it sounds really cheesy, but take it all in, um,
28:37yeah, just, like, enjoy all the little moments, focus on your shelves, and just go out there
28:43and give it to Aldi, have fun, have fun, yeah, yeah. Now, are there still tickets available
28:52for performances, and how do people get them? Yeah, so we do have limited tickets available
28:58for all show nights still, um, and they're all on the hospice website, um, just at Highland
29:03Hospice forward slash shop, um, so yeah, we do urge, um, I gave the dancers a little chase this
29:09week just for any outstanding, um, additional tickets, um, just to make sure that we've got
29:16everyone covered there, but yeah, this week or the start of next would be your time to get sorted
29:20if you definitely want to come to the shows. Amazing. Well, thank you both so much for coming
29:25in, and for organising it, and championing us throughout it, so thank you all. Thanks. Thank you.