Strictly Inverness dancer to hold celebration fundraiser in memory of late father
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A CELEBRATION is set to honour the memory of a Strictly Inverness dancer's late father while also helping to raise vital funds for charity.
Rachel Lucas (24), from Slackbuie, is taking part in this year's charity dance contest to raise funds for the Highland Hospice.
And her fundraising is set to continue on Saturday (April 22) when she holds Celebrating Charlie in Inverness.
The event is named after her father Charlie Lucas, who sadly passed away six weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer during the Covid pandemic.
And the event – which will feature a darts contest, music from The Shire and an evening party – is intended to be the celebration of Charlie's life that family and friends were unable to share during the pandemic owing to restrictions on gatherings.
Related: Fun day double for Strictly Inverness
Rachel said: "It's all in memory of my dad. He passed away in 2020 but because it was Covid when he passed, he never got the kind of funeral or anything afterwards where we could kind of all be together. So this is kind of us doing something for him now, and why it's called Celebrating Charlie".
And celebrate Charlie it most certainly will, with friends and family travelling from far and wide just to take part in the day's fun – with people coming from Uist, Ireland and England, among others.
Even though it has yet to take place, Rachel revealed that the celebration has already raised around £700, which will be added to the total she has already raised for the Highland Hospice through her imminent participation in Strictly Inverness.
"So far with my Strictly fundraising, I'm up to about $4500 and I'm hoping all the guys will be very generous [this weekend] with it being for the hospice and a memorial event," continued Rachel. "I haven't got a target in mind but I think it will do really well."
This Saturday's fun begins at the Raigmore Motel in Inverness. The day includes a darts competition starting at 2pm (entry is £10), and there will be a price for the best darts shirt.
The day will continue with music from The Shire at a buffet night from 7pm. Tickets are £10.
The evening will also include raffles and prizes, with all proceeds going towards Rachel's Strictly Inverness fundraising target.
