Abby
"The chance to learn to dance, meet new people, and be part of a community all coming together for such an important mission is truly exciting. I can't wait to share this journey with others who are just as passionate about making a difference!"
Abby
Abby, 21, from St Albans enjoys Formula One, hanging out with friends, and spending Sunday evenings with her family for movie nights. Abby became involved with Rennie Grove Peace through her workplace.
“I have been working with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice since I joined Sherrards Solicitors in 2021. Our Managing Partner, Alasdair McMillin is a Vice Patron of the charity and introduced me to the charity and the fundraising team. Over the past three years, I’ve helped with several of their festive fundraisers and have had the privilege of getting to know the incredible fundraising team.”
A lifelong fan of Strictly Come Dancing, Abby is excited to take part in Strictly Come Hospice, learn new dance routines, and raise funds through her social media channels and hosting a quiz night or bake sale. Though she has no prior dance experience, Abby is eager to embrace the challenge and contribute to such a meaningful cause.
Favourite dance: My favourite type of standard ballroom would have to be Quickstep, although I don’t know if I would have the energy to do that in the final! My favourite Latin dances are the Jive and Paso Doble as the Jive is quick and entertaining, whereas the Paso Doble is powerful and strong. I would honestly be happy to perform any dance in the final!
Favourite song to perform to: I love listening to film scores, so it would be lovely to dance to a piece, maybe from Titanic or a Disney classic. Or maybe a piece from Adele, as I love her music. I would love to dance to a song that everyone knows and can enjoy the music, (and to distract from my terrible dancing.)
Amber
"It is a chance to give back and what better way than having a bit of fun too. I used to ballroom dance as a child and then as an adult onboard cruise ships but fell out of touch with it and what a perfect opportunity to do both."
Amber
Amber, 29, is a trainee primary school teacher in Watford who brings her love of art, drama, and creativity into the classroom, where she gets to embrace her inner big kid. She spent six years traveling and working abroad, with unforgettable moments dancing onboard a cruise ship—an experience that sparked her love of dance.
Fundraising for Rennie Grove Peace is deeply personal for Amber. The Peace Hospice supported her through individual and group counselling after the loss of her Nan and Grandad, helping her process emotions and grief in a safe, understanding space. Joining “Strictly Come Hospice” is Amber’s way of giving back to the hospice that guided her during a difficult time, while also re-connecting with her ballroom roots.
Amber’s ready to lace up her dancing shoes and step back into a world she loves, all while supporting a cause close to her heart.
Favourite dance: I have always loved the rhumba!
Favourite song to perform to: Believe by Cher or I Believe by Yolanda Adams
Anna
"I’m excited to meet my dance partner, have a sense of camaraderie amongst the group and see the kind of routines we are taught."
Anna
Anna, 25, from northwest London, enjoys ballroom dancing, reading, and visiting museums. Committed to supporting those with life-limiting illnesses, Anna plans to raise funds through her family, friends, bake sales, and book sales at work. Although Anna is a beginner in ballroom dancing and has never competed, she is looking forward to meeting her partner, experience the camaraderie among the group, and be part of the exciting routines everyone will perform.
When asked which professional from Strictly Come Dancing she would like to be paired up with, Anna said:
“What a question! I would be honoured to be put with any partner, but my current favourites are Nikita, Kai, Johannes and Vito.”
Favourite dance: I love the jive because of its energy, and I love the paso doble because of its fierceness.
Favourite song to perform to: Anything by Michael Bublé!
Amy
“Dancing has been a passion of mine since I was tiny and my love of Strictly Come Dancing was shared with my darling Nan who sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year, so it seems a perfect tribute to her to go out there and dance my heart out!”
Amy
Amy has always dreamed of being a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, not for the fame or fortune, but for the joy of learning the routines, wearing the sequins, and stepping onto that iconic dancefloor. While it may not be “the” Strictly, Strictly Come Hospice is the next best thing, and Amy is beyond excited to be part of it.
Faith
"I’m ready to rally my friends and family, using my marketing savvy to stir up some excitement and get everyone in the donating spirit! With a little charm and enthusiasm, I’m confident I can raise the £600 needed!"
Faith
Faith, 23, is a Marketing and Communications Executive at The Hospice Lottery Partnership, where she works to raise awareness and support for vital hospice care services. Partnering with Rennie Grove Hospice Care, she’s been inspired by the dedication and compassion of the teams providing essential care to patients and families. Having toured the hospice and seen their work up close, Faith feels privileged to contribute to such a meaningful cause.
Outside of work, Faith is a budding creative with aspirations in theatre and film. Writing scripts is her main focus, but she also enjoys exploring prose, always drawn to stories with unexpected twists. For her, storytelling is a way to connect, inspire, and bring a little more light into the world. Since joining The Hospice Lottery and witnessing the incredible work local hospices do, Faith has felt inspired to get involved. While marathons and hikes have their appeal, she is much more drawn to the glitz and glamour of the ballroom!
Favourite dance: I’m absolutely enchanted by the idea of performing a classic ballroom—it’s like stepping right into a scene from a period drama. I can already picture myself gliding across the dance floor, channelling all the elegance and grace of a bygone era. But then again, there’s something irresistible about a bit of tango, too. The intensity, the passion…it’s all so deliciously sultry. I’d love to embrace the drama and let the music sweep me away. A perfect blend of romance and fire!
James
"I have done some salsa dancing before and was asked on holiday once whether I was a professional dancer!"
James
James, 51, from Chorleywood, is a landscape gardener with a passion for the outdoors. A dedicated Land Rover enthusiast, James has also recently taken up Zumba.
Despite overcoming major health challenges, including a brain tumour in his twenties and living with a pacemaker for 30 years, James is eager to support others facing tough times. He’s thrilled to be a part of Strictly Come Hospice and excited to learn new dances.
Favourite dances: Salsa, cha cha and merengue
Favourite songs to dance to: Why You Follow Me by DJ Abdel & Eric Benet or Lady by Orquestra la Palabra.
Jo C
“I know Rennie Grove Peace receive limited funding and rely on donations and fundraising from the local community and it’s important to keep establishments like this going so they can continue to provide the excellent service they do for those in need.”
JoC
Jo, 53, from Croxley Green, is an Executive Assistant at Premier Foods in St Albans. Outside of work, Jo enjoys spending time with loved ones, discovering new restaurants, going to the cinema or theatre, spa weekends, and sun-soaked holidays. Her daily walks help keep her fit and energized. While she hasn’t needed Rennie Grove Peace’s services personally, Jo is passionate about supporting the essential care we provide.
Jo danced until she was 16 and is looking forward to brushing up on her dance skills while raising funds for such a worthy cause. As a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing, Jay McGuiness and Danny Mac have been her top two favourite contestants!
Favourite dances: There are too many to just choose one! I like the glamour of the foxtrot, the passion of the tango, the fun of the Charleston and the jive, and the drama of the paso doble. Whether I can actually pull any of them off is another matter!
Favourite songs to dance to:
Foxtrot – Can’t take my eyes off you (Andy Williams) or All About You (McFly)
Tango – La Cumparsita (Gerardo Matos Rodríguez) or Paint it Black (Rolling Stones)
Charleston – Bang Bang (will.i.am)
Jive – Footloose (Kenny Loggins)
Paso doble – Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
Jo S
"My darling Dad, Graham, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013, we were all devastated - Rennie Grove nurses cared for Dad in the last few days of his life. They were amazing and he was able to remain at home, with us family and the livestock on the farm."
JoS
Jo, 60, from Great Missenden, is a Customer Relations Manager in care homes. A self-described sun worshipper and travel enthusiast, she has explored much of Europe, the USA, Australia, and Asia. Jo enjoys time with her large circle of family and friends, including 10 nephews and nieces, and 9 godchildren.
Jo has previously been involved with organising a barn dance for 200 people at the family farm and raised £8,000 for Rennie Grove. Jo’s dedication to fundraising for Rennie Grove Peace stems from her father’s final days being cared for by the nursing team.
Now, Jo’s embracing the challenge of Strictly Come Hospice, excited to learn to dance, meet new people, and continue her mission to support Rennie Grove. Full of plans for fundraising events and already selling tickets for the finale, Jo is ready to hit the dance floor—even if she starts with two left feet!
Favourite dance: Waltz, tango, cha cha and the quick step.
Favourite song to perform to: Dance with my father by Luther Vandross
Lisa
“I am doing this for every patient I have ever cared for in the past, present and future.”
Lisa
Lisa, 50, from Bedfordshire, is an Assistant Director within Patient Services at Rennie Grove Peace. As a busy mother of three—her son, 28, and two daughters, ages 4 and 3—she balances family life with her career and is busy planning her wedding for December! With over a decade of experience in the hospice sector and a background in palliative nursing, Lisa is deeply committed to the vision of providing palliative care for all.
Her love for dancing started in her youth, performing in musicals until her mid-twenties. Now, through Strictly Come Hospice, Lisa is excited to rekindle her passion for dance, especially learning the Argentine tango. Ready to dance again, Lisa is eager to support fundraising efforts and share her journey with the RGP community.
Favourite dance: Argentine tango
Favourite song to perform to: I love Kate Bush, Women’s work, and James Blunt.
Michelle
"I get to showcase what I have learned in front of my friends, family, neighbours and all those in my local community who are fully supporting me, whilst raising money for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice at the same time."
Michelle
Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry where she embraced adventure and explored the world before settling into a career in local schools to support her family. As a devoted mother to two football-loving boys, weekends are spent at Watford FC. Fitness became a personal journey when her eldest son introduced her to ParkRun—what began as walking transformed into jogging the full course which Michelle is very proud of.
Now, with more time after stepping back from a full-time role, Michelle is excited to explore new opportunities like dancing. Inspired by Strictly Come Dancing, she eagerly joined “Strictly Come Hospice” to learn from professional dancers while fundraising for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice.
Favourite dance: I love watching the fast dances and I think salsa would suit me, but I’d leave it to the professionals to make that judgement as performing it might be a completely different story!
Favourite song: I would love to perform “I’ve had the time of my life” Dirty Dancing song, an iconic classic that I’m sure every woman would love to be taught how to dance too and I’m no exception.
Tia
“The care and support my mother received from Rennie Grove Peace, particularly the art classes and the compassionate staff, made her final weeks more comfortable.”
Tia
Tia, 22, from Rickmansworth, is a recent university graduate and avid reader who has danced since the age of four. Dancing has always been a passion of hers, and now she’s channelling that love into fundraising for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care in memory of her mother. Her mother, who was Tia’s biggest role model, was cared for by the team after she received a cancer diagnosis.
The opportunity to participate in Strictly Come Hospice came shortly after her mother’s passing, and Tia felt it was the perfect way to honour her memory and give back to the charity that helped them. Tia plans to share her Strictly Come Hospice journey on social media, encouraging friends and family to support her fundraising efforts.
Not only did her mother encourage Tia to dance from an early age, but they also shared a love for watching Strictly Come Dancing together every weekend. Tia has performed in many dance shows throughout her life and was chosen by a national dance company to be part of a campaign advocating for mental health in the dance community, where she shared her story of how dance and music helped her cope with anxiety as a teenager.
Tia has fond memories of watching Strictly with her mum, and they both agreed that if they could pair up with any professional dancer, it would be Johannes Radebe for the joy and fun he brings to the experience.
Favourite dance: Although a tango is fun to watch, I think I would most enjoy performing a waltz or the foxtrot. They have always been my favourite dances to watch on the show.
Favourite song to perform to: I’m unsure what would be the best song, I guess it would depend on the dance style. However, I am a massive Taylor Swift fan.
Vanessa
Vanessa, 50, from Great Missenden, is an emotional health coach and speaker with a passion for helping others thrive. As a mother to two grown children, she treasures family life and enjoys spending time with her loved ones. She finds balance in quiet moments in nature, especially near water, where she feels most at peace.
Vanessa will combine her love of food and entertaining with her creative spirit to support her fundraising efforts. She will invite friends, family and neighbours to bid for herself and her fiancé Alan, (also taking part in Strictly Come Hospice) to cook and wait on them so they can enjoy their evening. Vanessa also plans to sell wellbeing products and bake seasonal treats.
Having danced competitively in her youth, Vanessa is rediscovering her love of performing and is looking forward to being part of Strictly Come Hospice.
More bios to come shortly!!