Meet the first two couples battling it out on the dancefloor in Treliske’s Come Dance With Us Strictly-style fundraising competition.

They’ve had their third week of rehearsals and the competition is hotting up for competitors in the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity’s big fundraising event, Come Dance With Us!

Twelve couples – a mix of Royal Cornwall Hospital staff and members of the public – will be put through rigorous training as they aspire to lift the much-coveted Glitter Ball Trophy at the final event, to be held at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay on Sunday, May 5, and hosted by popular comedian Kernow King.

The majority of the volunteers are complete beginners and are being put through their paces by Latin and ballroom dancer Clare Lawrence, who also happened to be the hospitals charity’s community fundraiser.

Each week, the couples are rehearsing their chosen dances at Malpas Village Hall, Truro, leading up to the grand finale, which will be judged by such professionals as Jason Thomas, of Jason Thomas Performing Arts schools across Cornwall.

Each week we will introduce you to two couples who are swapping triage for the tango and stethoscopes for the salsa.

Here are this week’s…

Katie Steward and Jonathan Paddle are hoping for more than a 7!

Katie Steward & Jonathan Paddle

Who are you?

Katie Steward

Job title: 

Critical Care Sister for Patient Experience

Best bit about your job?

Being part of patients Critical Care journey, watching them recover from critical illness, getting to know them and their family.  The reward you get from seeing patients going home and being with their family is priceless.

Which charitable fund are you supporting? 

Critical Care Unit, RCHT

Why are you supporting this fund? 

Critical Care is a team I am incredibly proud to be a part of, whom work incredibly hard to deliver the best we can for our patients.

What are you looking forward to in your Come Dance With Us experience?

Learning to dance, sharing the experience with our team, boosting team morale, fundraising and having fun!

What scares you the most about the experience?

Wardrobe malfunction!

What dance icon do you most compare yourself to? 

Beyonce!

How would you like the public to support you?

Follow our progress on Cornwall Live and hospital social media platforms. Come and support us at our fundraising events, donate and spread the word!

Virgin Money Giving page link .

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Who are you?

Jonathan Paddle

Job title:

Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine

Best bit about your job?

Working in a brilliant team, delivering the best care to our patients

Which charitable fund are you supporting?

The RCHT Critical Care Unit

Why are you supporting this fund?

Our critically ill patients face a long and difficult recovery, both physically and psychologically. The critical care charitable fund can help provide valuable resources to help these patients with their recovery

What are you looking forward to in your Come Dance With Us experience?

The glitter! The glamour! And, of course, dancing with my partner!

What scares you the most about the experience?

The audience

What dance icon do you most compare yourself to? 

David Brent

How would you like the public to support you?

Follow us on the Hospital social media sites and on Cornwall Live, and donate on our Virgin Money Giving Page

Virgin Money Giving page link .

Husband and wife competitors Sarah and Michael Caskey

Sarah and Michael Caskey

Who are you?

Sarah and Michael Caskey

Job titles:

Clinical Matron Cancer Services / Offshore Oil Field Driller

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Best bit about your job?

The team and patients that I work with (Sarah)

Which charitable fund are you supporting?

Lowen Ward Amenity Fund

Why are you supporting this fund?

Lowen Ward has had funding agreed for a new ward to be built with plans well under way for hopeful completion in 2020. The ward will provide much-needed improved facilities and an acute oncology assessment area.

However, my hopes for the ward are to provide privacy glass walls which will enable our most unwell patients to be observed while in protective isolation. We have ten rooms that will need this at an average cost of £10,000 per wall! So as you can see I have a big task on my hands,

What are you looking forward to in your Come Dance With Us experience?

Having fun all for a good cause and all the glamorous side of dancing

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What scares you the most about the experience?

Sarah – Training with my husband!

Mike – Forgetting the steps

What dance icon do you most compare yourself to?

Sarah – Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing), Mike – Michael Jackson

How would you like the public to support you?

Digging deep and sponsoring me and my husband and supporting the team in all our fundraising events we have planned.

Virgin Money Giving page link .