Local social media followers may already know that our very own Shelly Heap, wife of Lowerhouse captain Ben Heap, has been selected to take part in the 2025 Pendleside Hospice Strictly Come Dancing competition.
Pendleside Hospice provides compassionate care to friends, families, and members of our community every year. But this incredible service depends heavily on donations and fundraising efforts from people like you.
Now entering its third year, this fantastic fundraising initiative follows the same exciting format as the hit TV show. The 2025 final takes place on Friday, 14th November at Impact Conferencing (Life Church) in Burnley.
This dazzling event will feature ten local ‘celebrities’, each paired with professional dancers from Sandersons Dance & Fitness. With weeks of rehearsals and expert choreography, participants will take to the floor to deliver unforgettable performances — all in the name of raising vital funds for Pendleside Hospice.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by The Daisy Group, based in Nelson. Their generous support helps cover event costs, meaning even more of the money raised goes directly to the hospice and the people it supports.
Shelly has been partnered with Daniel and will be dancing the Tango.
By her own admission, this is way out of Shelly’s comfort zone — but she’s stepping up to the challenge with real determination. In its first two years, the competition raised over £50,000 each time. The target for 2025? A record-breaking total — and we want to help Shelly get there.
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to plan a series of fundraising events. The first two dates to save are:
- Friday 13th June – T20: Lowerhouse vs. Burnley
- Friday 27th June – T20: Lowerhouse vs. Church
Shelly and her fundraising team will be out in force at both matches, collecting donations and raising awareness. We’re calling on our entire Lowerhouse family and local supporters to get behind Shelly — and, more importantly, to support the incredible work of Pendleside Hospice.
You can donate to Shelly & Daniels page here.
Let’s #FindAWay to help Shelly smash her fundraising target and shine on the big night.
#UTH 💛💙 #TeamShelly #FindAWay #Strictly2025