REVEALED: Team Thursday members for Strictly Inverness 2023

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Contestants taking part in Strictly Inverness 2023 have been announced.

A total of 32 dancers – or 16 couples – will be strutting their stuff in May hoping to make the final night.

They are all doing what they can to raise funds and the final total will be split between Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.

Here is your chance to meet the members of Team Thursday.

• Rachel & Declan:

Name: Rachel Lucas;

Age: 24;

Where from: Slackbuie

Occupation: reception admin;

Reason for taking part: My Dad Charlie Lucas who sadly passed away of bowel cancer less than six weeks after his diagnosis on June 19, 2020. at the young age of 43.

Highland Hospice provided valuable support to my family during my dad’s illness and this continued after his passing. Ironically I am dancing on May 11 which is exactly three years to the day of my dad’s cancer diagnosis.

Name: Declan Ramsey;

Age: 28;

Where from: Inverness - Druid Temple;

Occupation: operation manager;

Reason for taking part: My partner (Joanne Stewart) has worked at the hospice since the beginning of her nursing career, my boss (David Massey) has taken part in Strictly Inverness in previous year's and I have heard and seen what the Hospice provides for our local community. This is my chance to give back, support the community and learn some moves in the process.

• Karen & Krys:

Name: Karen Newman;

Age: 58;

Where from: Conon Bridge;

Occupation: nail technician/educator;

Reason for taking part: I’ve wanted to take part in Strictly for a long time and finally decided to take the plunge and take myself right out of my comfort zone.

Although I’m quite bubbly, chatty, and love meeting new people, I really don’t enjoy being the centre of attention – so hey do Strictly and dance in front of over 500 people.

I actually applied a few years ago but my application was pretty rubbish to be honest. I’ve been having major house issues lately so I decided I needed to counteract the negativity with happiness and Strictly definitely fit the bill.

My mum spent the last month or so of her life in St Margaret’s Hospice and the service and care she, and all of my family, received was remarkable. So this is my way of giving something back.

Name: Krystian Rabiej;

Age: 38;

Where from: Inverness;

Occupation: company director;

Reason for taking part: I think it could be fun to do and very challenging – everyone knows I like a challenge. Meeting new people is always great as well. Plus my good friend and basketball team mate Bruce Morrison nominated me since he was a previous Strictly Inverness contestant.

Mhairi & Dean:

Name: Mhairi Fraser;

Age: 41;

Where from: Culloden;

Occupation: advanced nurse;

Reason for taking part: I toyed with the idea of taking part for a number of years but was never brave enough to apply and then a close friend passed away at the beginning of last year before her 40th birthday.

Amy had taken part in lots of fundraising events for the hospice and raised lots of money and had a great time whilst doing so. I thought what am I waiting for? Life is not guaranteed for any of us so just go for it and enjoy the experience and here I am now.

Name: Dean Bell;

Age: 39;

Where from: Milton of Leys;

Occupation: parts manager for Parks Motor Group;

Reason for taking part: I have lost my mum and dad in the last couple of years which has been very difficult for me. I was wanting to do something to help my mental health and I saw the post on Facebook looking for males. Thought it would be good for me and to help raise money for the hospice is something special and close to our hearts.

• Amanda & Craig:

Name: Amanda Bryan;

Age: 55;

Where from: Strathglass;

Occupation: forestry and land management;

Reason for taking part: My sister’s husband Billy died in the hospice last year. He spent several months in the in-patient unit as my sister was unable to care for him at home due to his lack of mobility.

Name: Craig Mitchell;

Occupation: Crocus support worker.

• Joanne & Kris;

Name: Joanne Macleod;

Where from: North Kessock;

Occupation: dispute resolution decision maker;

Reason for taking part: I’m wanting to give something back to a good cause. My auntie sadly passed away in the hospice the day after I applied for Strictly.

She told me to go for it a few days before she passed. I’ve also recently done the Kessock Bridge zipline and earlier in the year I skydived for kidney research. I love a challenge.

Name: Kris Crawford;

Age: 29;

Where from: Slackbuie;

Occupation: clerical assistant at Highland Council;

Reason for taking part: I've played with the idea for a few years now but just never actually applied. As I'm turning 30 this year, I decided to try to do a number of things that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Dancing in front of 600 people certainly does that. I also wanted to try and raise as much money as possible for the great causes involved.

• Lynn & Sunny:

Name: Lynn Stewart;

Age: 35;

Where from: Culduthel in Inverness;

Occupation: community champion at Asda in Inverness;

Reason for taking part: I used to sing a lot but have lost confidence, especially recently since being diagnosed with ADHD i can get anxious. I love performing and can be a bit of a show off! I love Strictly Come Dancing and my fiancé and I watch it religiously every week. I am quite new to Inverness so I thought Strictly would be great to get my confidence back and meet new people.

Highland Hospice is an amazing charity and I have friends who have recently lost parents. Through this I’ve seen how important it is to have the right people there at the end to help take care of them.

Name: Sunny McDougall Moodie;

Age: 33;

Occupation: film maker & poet.

• Natalie & Stevie:

Name: Natalie Marshall;

Age: 40;

Where from: Inverness;

Occupation: pupil support assistant for Drummond school;

Reason for taking part: Strictly is something I have always wanted to do for many years. Its something I have always dreamt of doing but have never been able to fully commit the time that I know is required.

I have a son with severe autism and learning difficulties and unfortunately his physical health took a dip a few years ago. He suffered from ulcerated esophagitis and had to be fitted with a PEG feeding tube. This meant we were back and forth to Aberdeen hospital a lot with him for appointments.

This whole thing had a massive effect on his mental health. That is the main reason I didn't feel I could commit to Strictly. Luckily the past year has been better for Logan, he is no longer on a PEG and no longer has the medical issues that he did. Also I turned 40 in January and want to do something like this for myself. I have always put family first and now I think it's time to do something fun for me.

Also, my daughter does dancing and is a true inspiration to me. She's been through so much herself and never complains.

Name: Stevie Strang;

Age: 54;

Where from: Kiltarlity;

Occupation: scaffolding contracts manager for Mcdonald Scaffolding;

Reason for taking part: To help raise money for a great charity, and to take me completely out of my comfort zone.

• Andrea & Gordie:

Name: Andrea Manson;

Age: 49;

Where from: Dingwall;

Occupation: mobile hairdresser/barber at Direct Cuts by Andrea;

Reason for taking part: To set myself a new challenge and to meet new people. At the time I entered I was feeling a bit low and thought there couldn't be a better time to embark on this amazing journey by putting my dancing shoes on and overcoming many challenges as music and dancing makes me feel happy.

I'm also a strong believer in helping people any way I can in life so here's to my Strictly journey 2023 to raise as much money as I can for this wonderful charity.

Name: Gordie Simpson;

Age: 47;

Where from: Beauly;

Occupation: director;

Reason for taking part: My family encouraged me to apply and I fancied a challenge. Working in construction I feel this takes me out of my comfort zone which is challenging but good for myself. I am in a fortunate position to know a lot of people through work and personally so hopefully this will be a big help for my fundraising.

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