A competitive Coventry man is stepping out of his comfort zone and onto the dance floor for a vital local cause. Neil Littlewood, a membership and sales account manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, is training hard for Strictly Christmas, a spectacular dance event raising money for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice Coventry.
From Inspiration to Competition
Neil's journey began when his wife, Louise, took part in the same event last year, raising an incredible £4,004 for the hospice. Inspired by her efforts, Neil decided to take on the challenge himself. However, inspiration has quickly turned into friendly rivalry. "I was really inspired by Louise doing Strictly Christmas last year, but the sentiment stopped there - now I want to go past her fundraising total, even if it’s just by £1!" Neil confessed. "My competitive edge has really kicked in."
Fundraising and Footballing Support
Neil is being coached twice weekly by his professional partner, Sarah Smith, also known as the Strictly Christmas Queen. But his efforts aren't limited to the dance studio. He has already amassed more than £3,000 through creative initiatives, including a 'dartsathon' where he was sponsored to score 100,001 points in a single day.
His campaign received a significant boost from a local football star. After hearing about Neil's challenge, Coventry City FC centre back Liam Kitching personally arranged for a squad-signed Sky Blues shirt to be donated. Neil is now running a ‘black-out’ game, offering donators a £10 chance to win the prized shirt. The event itself has been a phenomenal success since it began in 2017, having raised a staggering £866,000 overall for the hospice.
The Final Countdown to the Royal Court Hotel
All the beginners are now in intense training for the main event, which will be held at The Royal Court Hotel this December. For Neil, the goal remains clear: to raise as much money as possible for a cause he deeply believes in. "I know what a great cause Zoe’s Place is and the incredible work they do," he said. "I am so grateful for all of the support and, genuinely, just want to raise as much as I can at the same time as making Sarah - and Louise - proud when I am on the dancefloor!"
To support Neil's fundraising efforts, you can contact him directly at neill@cw-chamber.co.uk or visit his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-littlewood-2.
