'Dance Has Been My Life': BBC Award Winner Rita Sinclair Returns to Strictly Saint Francis

When I was told I had received a BBC Local Radio Make a Difference Award, I was completely shocked.

To be honest, compared to the work people do every day at Saint Francis Hospice, the award feels quite insignificant. Everyone at the hospice deserves an award because they are so dedicated, compassionate and committed to the people they care for.

Of course, it was a huge honour, but if receiving the award helps shine a light on Saint Francis Hospice and the incredible work they do, then that means far more to me.

I've been dancing since I was five years old and teaching dance since I was 17. I genuinely don't know a life without dancing.

I was born with a dislocated hip and spent 9 months in a frog harness. When I was discharged from hospital, my parents were told that the best exercise for me would be swimming or dancing. I chose dancing and I've never stopped.

Dance has shaped my whole life. It keeps your mind active as much as your body because you've always got something to think about. But more than anything, I love the social side. Dance brings people together. It creates friendships, communities and connections that can last a lifetime.

That's why being involved in Strictly Saint Francis means so much to me.

It brings together two things that are incredibly important to me: dance and Saint Francis Hospice.

When the hospice approached me about helping with the very first Strictly Saint Francis event last year, I immediately wanted to be involved. I agreed to be a judge and help support contestants who wanted advice and encouragement as they prepared for the competition. I even trained some nurses to dance a group cha cha cha. They had a fabulous time.

The event was one of the most incredible nights I've ever been part of.

People see the costumes, the lights and the glamour, but what I see is a group of ordinary people doing something extraordinarily brave for a cause they care about.

When those lights go down and you're standing out there with all eyes on you, it's really scary.

The contestants put themselves in the spotlight to raise as much money as they can for hospice care. Many of them have never danced before. They step completely outside their comfort zones because they want to make a difference. However they dance, they are wonderful for getting up there and giving it their best.

Last year's event raised more than £46,000 for Saint Francis Hospice.

What made the evening even more special for me was that two of the dancers dedicated their performances to my husband, Ken.

I felt incredibly proud and I knew Ken would have been proud too.

My connection to Saint Francis Hospice became deeply personal when Ken was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Ken was really fit and active. He was never ill. When he started experiencing various symptoms that couldn't be explained, we never imagined it would lead to a cancer diagnosis.

From diagnosis to his death, we had 18 precious months together.

During that time, Saint Francis Hospice became a vital source of support for both of us. Cathy, one of the specialist nurses from The Hospice Community Team helped manage his pain and supported us at home. Later, Ken was admitted to the hospice for specialist care and blood transfusions, over a 3 month period.

In January 2024, he came to the hospice for the final time.

Initially, Ken said he wanted to die at home. But after experiencing the care at the hospice, he changed his mind.

He knew he had to come to the hospice for his sake and for mine.

I was able to stay with him throughout that final week. The day before he died, both our sons were there too. We spent precious time together as a family and those memories will stay with me forever.

That would not have happened in the same way anywhere else.

Nobody really knows what goes on in a hospice until they experience it for themselves.

People often think of a hospice as somewhere people go only at the end of life. There is so much more to it than that. There is so much support before that point which makes an incredibly difficult journey more comfortable and more manageable.

You're not just a patient. You're a person. A husband, wife, mum, dad, son or daughter. The hospice looks after the whole family.

After everything Saint Francis Hospice did for Ken and for us, I wanted to give something back.

That's why Strictly Saint Francis means the world to me.

I know how much money the hospice needs. I know how hard everyone works. Most importantly, I've seen first-hand how those funds help people when they need it most.

This year I'll be back on the judging panel and helping contestants prepare for another unforgettable night at Strictly Saint Francis on Friday 23 October at The Brentwood Centre.

People can expect lots of glitz and glamour, but what will make the evening truly special is the people taking part. They're working incredibly hard, they're nervous, they're frightened and they're pushing themselves way beyond their comfort zones to raise money for local hospice care.

They need the audience behind them.

The more support, cheers and encouragement they hear, the more relaxed they'll feel and the more they'll enjoy the experience.

So come along, enjoy the show, make plenty of noise and help support a hospice that means so much to so many local families.

Because while I may have received a BBC award this year, the real difference-makers are the people at Saint Francis Hospice who provide exceptional care, compassion and support every single day.

Join us for Strictly Saint Francis on Friday 23 October at The Brentwood Centre. Expect an unforgettable evening of glitz, glamour, dancing and community spirit, while raising vital funds to help Saint Francis Hospice continue providing outstanding care and support to local families when they need it most.