A dazzling night of dance for Rowcroft Hospice

Torquay’s Princess Theatre sparkled with sequins, samba, and heartfelt support on Saturday, 17th May, as Rowcroft Hospice’s glittering Strictly Rowcroft 2025 fundraiser dazzled a packed audience and raised an impressive £176,000 for end-of-life care services across South Devon.

In its latest and most spectacular edition yet, Strictly Rowcroft brought together 12 brave contestants from the local business community, each taking to the stage after weeks of rigorous dance training led by professionals from Danceworks Devon. Their performances – a mix of Latin and Ballroom dance – delighted audiences and honoured the spirit of the BBC’s iconic Strictly Come Dancing format.

This annual event is a cornerstone of Rowcroft’s community fundraising efforts, combining entertainment with vital charitable impact. The funds raised will go directly toward supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring they receive expert, compassionate care in their final months.

After a night of cheers, choreography, and incredible crowd energy, it was Barry Young, Managing Director of Brixham Trawler Agents, who claimed the Strictly Rowcroft Champion title. He and his professional partner Alexandra Jay captivated the crowd with a smooth slow foxtrot and a sultry rumba, garnering more than 12,000 audience votes.

Alexandra Jay and Barry Young

The judging panel featured some heavyweight dance talent, including Strictly Come Dancing’s Flavia Cacace, Strictly choreographer Jenny Thomas, and Stairway to the Stars producer Chris Chambers, all of whom praised the contestants' technique, passion, and courage.

The evening was hosted by Steve Reynolds, Chair of Torbay Business Forum, alongside Debbi Shotton, Rowcroft’s Community Fundraising Officer, who kept the energy high throughout the show.

Special recognition was given to Robbie Savage, co-founder of the online competition platform Rev Comps, who took home the Fundraising Award. Robbie’s determined efforts, including a hugely popular Orlando Disney competition, raised a staggering £88,000, far surpassing his original target of £20,000. His contributions played a key role in helping the event achieve its record-breaking fundraising total.

Jenny Thomas, Barry Young and Flavia Cacace

Rowcroft’s Community Engagement Manager Alexia Croft reflected on the night’s success: “The show has been absolutely magical. We’re so grateful to everyone who made this event such a success, including our incredible dancers, the team at Danceworks Devon, our judges, our sponsors Kitson Boyce, and of course, the audience. Together, we’ve not only created a fab-u-lous night of glitz and glamour, but we’ve also made a real difference in the lives of those who need our care. Every penny raised will help us provide specialist care, comfort and support to local families when they need it most.”

Sally Scott-Bryant, Chair of Trustees at Rowcroft, said: "I am absolutely thrilled by the tremendous success of Strictly Rowcroft. It is clear that the Rowcroft team put in a phenomenal effort to make this event such a wild success. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for their hard work, determination and dedication. The atmosphere in the audience was truly electric, showcasing our community's united support for Rowcroft; it was awe-inspiring. I am immensely proud of our brave contestants, their partners, Danceworks Devon and our sponsors and other supporters, and I am truly amazed by the amount raised on the night."

Rowcroft Hospice has served the people of South Devon for over 40 years, delivering compassionate end-of-life care in homes, hospitals, and its inpatient unit. Covering more than 300 square miles across South Devon, the charity supports over 2,500 patients and their families each year, helping them to make the most of every moment.

To find out more about Rowcroft and how to support their mission, visit: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk