TWO water workers from Warrington swapped high visibility jackets for sequins to raise cash for terminally-ill children.
Kath Ayres, aged 28, a programme manager for United Utilities, and Clare Bullen, aged 26, a business analyst with the company, became the belles of the ballroom in a “Strictly Come Dancing”-style fundraiser. 
The colleagues, each paired with a top international dancer, took to the floor of Southport’s famous Floral Hall for the event, which raised £36,000 for Claire House Children’s Hospice.
They competed against each other and a further six of their co-workers in front of a panel of expert judges and 380 cheering colleagues and partner companies.
And the flatmates, who lived at Bewsey, certainly impressed, with Clare finishing second for her American Smooth, and Kath third for her Jive.
Clare said: “It was simply amazing – the lights, the costumes, the music – everything. The routine seemed to go really well, and I loved every minute. We all coped with the pressure really well, and everyone had a ball – quite literally!”
Kath added: “We’d both been working towards this event for months. The night was amazing, the atmosphere was electric and the audience was fantastic. It was such a buzz to finally get to perform in front of everyone.”
Claire House Children’s Hospice cares for children across Cheshire and Merseyside who have life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
Laura Breen, area fundraiser for the hospice said: “Our thanks to United Utilities for organising such an imaginative event. It was a truly sensational evening, and the money raised will help us to continue to provide care and comfort to seriously ill children and their families.”
The evening ended with a show-stopping “Saturday Night Fever”-inspired group dance, involving 25 United Utilities’ employees. Plans are already being made by the company to repeat the event next year.
Pictured: Kath Ayres with dance partner Linus Backstrom.
