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Strictly Come Dancing star sweeps nurses off their feet

Lottery funded hospice staff presented with an award from dancer Anton du Beke

Nurses were dancing for joy when their charity was presented with a trophy and £2,000 for being named one of the UK’s favourite Lottery funded projects.

Anton Du Beke

Staff at Strathcarron Hospice, in Scotland, got a shock when Strictly Come Dancing star, Anton Du Beke, dropped by to present them with the award for Best Health Project.

More than 7,500 votes were cast by the public in recognition of the success of its Hospice @ Home service which was set up by £702,573 of Lottery funding sees palliative care nurses provide personal, practical and emotional support for patients at the end of their lives who wish to remain at home.

Representatives will also be invited to attend a star-studded awards ceremony, The National Lottery Stars, which will be broadcast on BBC One on September 21.

Mr Du Beke said: 'Meeting the nurses and families has been an honour. National Lottery players should be proud that their money is supporting incredible projects like this.'

Healthcare assistant Sharron Love has worked for the hospice for 11 years. She said: ‘To get this award and let people know who we are and what we do is fantastic. I hope it helps create similar services in other towns in Scotland.

‘Dancing with Anton was hilarious, I told him I did tap and ballet when I was young so he immediately started doing all the steps and getting us to join in.’

Read more about Hospice at Home