Strictly Knot Dancing raises over £200,000 for Dougie Mac in spectacular Stoke-on-Trent fundraiser

Staffordshire’s business community swapped the boardroom for the ballroom on Friday 6th November as Strictly Knot Dancing returned to The King’s Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, raising over £200,000 for Dougie Mac Hospice.

It was an evening of dancing, entertainment and remarkable generosity as Strictly Knot Dancing returned for another successful year, bringing together businesses, supporters and the wider Staffordshire community for a cause close to many people's hearts.

Organised by Knot Events CIC, with support from The Sanctuary Dance School, the charity dancing competition saw 12 contestants take to the floor at The King's Hall on Friday 6th November, following months of rehearsals and fundraising.

By the end of the evening, an incredible £200,000 had been raised for Dougie Mac, comfortably beating the £145,000 achieved at the 2025 event. Organisers Knot Events CIC are still finalising the total which is now more than £200,000.

The impressive total represented an increase of £55,000+ on the previous year, demonstrating the generosity of Staffordshire's business community and everyone who supported the event.

Sarah Mellor, Strictly Knot Dancing organiser, said:

“We’re still finalising the total, but we already know Friday night raised more than £200,000 for Dougie Mac. After raising £145,000 last year, we knew how much it would take to go even further. Our contestants gave up months of their time to rehearse and fundraise, and our dance professionals, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who donated made this possible. I’m so grateful to every one of them. The money they’ve raised will help Dougie Mac continue caring for local people and their families when they need it most.”

Shanie Chaudry-Goodall crowned Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 winner

Taking home the winning title was Shanie Chaudry-Goodall of M Investment Group, who was crowned the Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 champion.

Shanie was one of 12 contestants who had volunteered to step outside their comfort zones, trading their usual working routines for dance rehearsals and fundraising challenges.

The competition brought together representatives from businesses and organisations across Staffordshire, each dedicating their time to learning new skills while raising money for Dougie Mac.

Shanie Chaudry-Goodall said:

“I’m still taking it all in. Hearing my name called and lifting the glitterball was a moment I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful to everyone who cheered me on, voted and donated. We all put so much into our dances, and I’m incredibly proud that together we’ve helped raise more than £200,000 for Dougie Mac.”

A night of dancing and fundraising for Dougie Mac

While the dancing took centre stage, there were plenty of opportunities for guests to contribute to the fundraising throughout the evening.

A huge tombola, scratch cards, digital voting for favourite dancers and a silent auction all gave supporters different ways to donate, with proceeds going directly to Dougie Mac.

The event had already reached a significant milestone before the contestants stepped onto the dance floor, with more than £100,000 raised in the week leading up to the show.

By the end of Friday evening, that figure had doubled to an outstanding £200,000.

For the first time, Strictly Knot Dancing was also available to watch via livestream, allowing friends, families and supporters who could not attend The King's Hall to enjoy the performances and vote for their favourite contestants from home.

Hannah Ault of Knot Events CIC said:

“It was an amazing evening, and we’re so proud of every contestant. We’ve seen how much practice and hard work has gone into each performance, alongside all their fundraising efforts. We’re incredibly grateful to them and their professional partners for their time and commitment, and to everyone who supported them. To bring so many people together and raise this amount for such a worthy cause is something everyone involved can be proud of.”

Staffordshire businesses take to the dance floor

This year's contestants represented a wide range of Staffordshire businesses and organisations.

Alongside winner Shanie Chaudry-Goodall, the female contestants were Jenny Johnston from KMF Group, Claire Garner from JCB, Karen McKenzie from Dougie Mac Hospice, Julie Mirowski from Rydale Roofing and Claire Chidlow from HTC Solutions Ltd.

The male contestants were Matt Holdcroft from Holdcroft Heating, Gabrial Daniels from The Hair House, Matt Hustwit from DJH, Stuart Elford from Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Stuart Heath from Red Earth Farm and Mark Inskip from RBC Brewin Dolphin.

Supporting the contestants throughout their dancing journeys were professional dancers Cameron and Viktoriia Robinson, Matt and Beth Keeble, and Max Appleby and Beth Gardner.

Their guidance, alongside the work of Ollie Hand and The Sanctuary Dance School, helped prepare the contestants for their performances in front of the audience and judging panel.

Strictly champions join the judging panel

The evening brought some familiar faces from the world of ballroom dancing to Stoke-on-Trent.

Strictly Come Dancing champions Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova returned to the judging panel, joining David Webster, Chief Executive of Dougie Mac, and head judge Ollie Hand from The Sanctuary Dance School.

The event was once again hosted by Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at Staffordshire University, and Josie Morris, CEO of Woolcool and an organiser of Strictly Knot Dancing.

Together, the hosts, judges, professional dancers and contestants helped bring another memorable charity event to The King's Hall.

Supporting a charity at the heart of Staffordshire

The success of Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 is about far more than the performances or the competition itself.

Dougie Mac provides specialist care and support to local people and their families, with fundraising events playing an important role in helping the hospice continue its work.

Speaking ahead of the competition, David Webster, Chief Executive of Dougie Mac Hospice, explained just how important the event had become to the charity.

“Strictly Knot Dancing has become one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar. Last year's incredible £145,000 has already helped us continue providing specialist care and support to local people and their families when they need us most. We simply couldn't achieve this without the dedication of every contestant, sponsor, volunteer and supporter involved.”

With over £200,000 raised this year, Strictly Knot Dancing has once again demonstrated what can be achieved when Staffordshire's businesses, volunteers and communities come together.

From months of fundraising and dance rehearsals to the generosity shown on the night, the event has provided another significant boost for a charity that supports people and families across the local area.

And for 2026 champion Shanie Chaudry-Goodall and her fellow contestants, it marks the end of a remarkable journey that has helped raise an extraordinary amount for Dougie Mac.

Knot Events CIC also thanked its event partners, The Sanctuary Dance School, the University of Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Prem Management and Inspired Film & Video. The Sanctuary Dance School brought together the professional dancers and supported the contestants through their training.

Knot Events CIC thanked DJH, the event’s headline sponsor, for its support.

Fundraising remains open, with the final total yet to be confirmed. It’s still possible to support Dougie Mac by donating through the official Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 JustGiving campaign.

Donate on JustGiving

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