AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not by me)
AUTISM campaigner Anna Kennedy once said that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing would be the best respite ever.
Her dream is now coming true after being selected to star in a special four-part version of the BBC1 hit show which will air in the lead-up to Red Nose Day on March 13.
The People's Strictly for Comic Relief hosted Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will feature real-life heroes instead of celebrities.
Originally from Middlesbrough, Mrs Kennedy remortgaged her home to set up a school for other autistic children when her sons, Patrick, now 25, and Angelo 21, now, were turned away from mainstream education.
Since Hillingdon Manor school near London opened in 1999, she has set up a second specialist school, a college and a respite home for adults.
She is also the founder of ‘Autism’s Got Talent”, the first show of its kind which encourages children and adults to perform on stage in front of packed audiences and is lobbying the Department of Health to make autism diagnosis consistent across the UK after her survey revealed some families were forced to wait five years or longer.
As a former dance teacher who specialised in tap, her anti-bully poster was backed on Twitter by famous supporters, including Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Kristina Rihanoff, judge Bruno Tonioli and his former counterpart, legendary choreographer Arlene Phillips.
She had hoped for a twirl with past Strictly star, actor Mark Benton, in 2013, when they were both presented with honorary degrees from Teesside University, but unfortunately on different days.
Mrs Kennedy, 54, who now lived in London has been forbidden from speaking yet about show, due to start on February 23, but has spoken in the past of her passion for dance.
“Dance has taught me so much and it is great for children with autism and it helps with flexibility, teaches listening skills and is great for their imagination,” she said.
“It is my dream to go on Strictly, I would love it. It would be the best respite ever.”
The other contestants are Phillip Barnett who has raised more than £2 million after founding a children's theatre charity 20 years ago, Trishna Bharadia, who as an MS sufferer has worked to raise awareness around the condition, Cassidy Little, who lost the lower half of his leg in an explosion while serving as a medic in Afghanistan and has helped his colleagues through rehab, Heather Parsons, who set up a charity to support intensive care patients and their families and Michael Pattie, who has raised £300,000 for meningitis charities.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore added: "BBC One is the TV home of ballroom dancing, so where better to see deserving, real-life heroes and heroines experience the sparkling joy of Strictly and all for such a great cause in Comic Relief."
SOURCE: Link
AUTISM campaigner Anna Kennedy once said that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing would be the best respite ever.
Her dream is now coming true after being selected to star in a special four-part version of the BBC1 hit show which will air in the lead-up to Red Nose Day on March 13.
The People's Strictly for Comic Relief hosted Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will feature real-life heroes instead of celebrities.
Originally from Middlesbrough, Mrs Kennedy remortgaged her home to set up a school for other autistic children when her sons, Patrick, now 25, and Angelo 21, now, were turned away from mainstream education.
Since Hillingdon Manor school near London opened in 1999, she has set up a second specialist school, a college and a respite home for adults.
She is also the founder of ‘Autism’s Got Talent”, the first show of its kind which encourages children and adults to perform on stage in front of packed audiences and is lobbying the Department of Health to make autism diagnosis consistent across the UK after her survey revealed some families were forced to wait five years or longer.
As a former dance teacher who specialised in tap, her anti-bully poster was backed on Twitter by famous supporters, including Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Kristina Rihanoff, judge Bruno Tonioli and his former counterpart, legendary choreographer Arlene Phillips.
She had hoped for a twirl with past Strictly star, actor Mark Benton, in 2013, when they were both presented with honorary degrees from Teesside University, but unfortunately on different days.
Mrs Kennedy, 54, who now lived in London has been forbidden from speaking yet about show, due to start on February 23, but has spoken in the past of her passion for dance.
“Dance has taught me so much and it is great for children with autism and it helps with flexibility, teaches listening skills and is great for their imagination,” she said.
“It is my dream to go on Strictly, I would love it. It would be the best respite ever.”
The other contestants are Phillip Barnett who has raised more than £2 million after founding a children's theatre charity 20 years ago, Trishna Bharadia, who as an MS sufferer has worked to raise awareness around the condition, Cassidy Little, who lost the lower half of his leg in an explosion while serving as a medic in Afghanistan and has helped his colleagues through rehab, Heather Parsons, who set up a charity to support intensive care patients and their families and Michael Pattie, who has raised £300,000 for meningitis charities.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore added: "BBC One is the TV home of ballroom dancing, so where better to see deserving, real-life heroes and heroines experience the sparkling joy of Strictly and all for such a great cause in Comic Relief."
SOURCE: Link
