Craig Weeks, Operations Director at JCB and a proud member of the local Wrexham community, is preparing to swap his work boots for dancing shoes as he takes part in this year’s Strictly Nightingales.

The fundraising event will be held at Carden Park on Saturday, 26th October (which has sold out) and will be followed by a Strictly Nightingales Showcase at the Stiwt on Saturday, 9th November. Craig joins fellow local celebrities to raise vital funds for Nightingale House Hospice, a cause deeply close to his heart.

Craig’s involvement with Nightingale House began when his family faced a cancer battle. Craig said: “My brother, Mark, passed away three years ago. When he could no longer be cared for at home, Nightingale House was the place that he chose to be cared for.

“It always will be the care that the staff give to people is phenomenal. They should be paid a million pounds a year, as far as I’m concerned—amazing people.”

With a personal connection to the hospice, Craig was unable to say no when the opportunity to dance came up. He said: “Everyone knows what Nightingale House is about. Nobody wants to be there, but everyone wants to support the cause. The work they do is just incredible.”

For Craig, this challenge is unlike anything he’s tackled before. Craig continued: “I’ve never danced in my life… Maybe I’ve done some dad dancing, but when I had my first lesson, I thought, ‘How do I pull out of this?’

“I remember leaving thinking, ‘This is never going to happen,’ but I persevered. Last week was the first time I felt like I was actually dancing!”

Craig is quick to credit his dance partner, Hannah Roberts, for guiding him through the process. He said: “We’ve had about 10 sessions, and she’s been amazing!

“For a dancer like Hannah to teach someone like me—it’s tough. But we’ve had a lot of fun, and I’ve hopefully made a friend for life.”

Despite initial nerves, Craig is now eager for the big night. “I’m so excited for the night now. You can train too much, in my view. I just want to get out there and do it and enjoy it. It’s about having fun, learning something new, and meeting someone new. For me, it ticks every box.”

Through Strictly Nightingales, Craig hopes to raise awareness and funds for the hospice, which continues to provide essential care for patients and families across the region. Craig said: “Nightingale House is a beautiful place, and the best place to be when you have a terminal illness diagnosis. They do amazing work, and events like this are crucial for keeping that going for people in the community.”

For Craig, it’s about much more than just dancing, he said: “If people haven’t had a family member go through there, they should just pop in and have a look at what they do.

“They are amazing work supporting people just like my brother. It’s critical to everybody. You never know when you may need their support.”

Craig invites everyone to come and support him and his fellow dancers at Strictly Nightingales on 26th October at Carden Park and again at the Strictly Nightingales Showcase on 9th November at the Stiwt.

“Go all in—absolutely. Take your brain out for an hour and have a bit of fun. You’ll get to see something special, support an amazing cause, and maybe even get inspired to step out of your comfort zone. I’m doing this to make my brother proud, and I couldn’t be happier to support Nightingale House.”

To buy tickets to see the Strictly Nightingales Showcase on Saturday 9th November, visit: stiwt.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873661706