PICTURES: Strictly Inverness competitor gets his dance shoes on early for fundraising gig

Strictly Inverness contestant Graeme Bell made a final fundraising push ahead of this month’s competition by hosting a ceilidh on Saturday night.

Guests headed to the Newton Hotel in Nairn for entertainment from live band Reel Scotch.

Mr Bell said: “It was a night full of fun and hilarity where a good night was had by all. It was my last fundraising event, which added £800 to my overall fundraising of £5200.”

Mr Bell is currently preparing to take to the stage in two weeks time after rehearsing for more than five months.

As the general manager of Inverness Airport he is a busy man, but wanted to take part in the charity competition to help out the Highland Hospice.

“Compared to the services and facilities in a hospital there really is no comparison and I feel that it’s time for me to pay back and fundraise to ensure that these services are provided and funded for others,” he said. “Fundraising out the way, now Janie (McRobert, Graeme’s dance partner) and I have two weeks to fine tune the steps and get all set to trip the light fantastic!”

“We can’t wait to show off our all our hard work for such an amazing cause.”

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