With Strictly Come Dancing back on our screens, a former contestant is offering one person the chance to collect a piece of Strictly history and help Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
The 2017 Strictly Come Dancing runner up and president of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Gemma Atkinson, is auctioning a pair of her Strictly dancing shoes for the charity.
The Emmerdale and Hollyoaks favourite, Gemma took part in the BBC dance show in 2017 and met her partner Gorka Marquez there, with whom she has a three-year-old daughter Mia.
The Hits Radio host finished joint second in Series 15 and has donated her dancing shoes, size 6.5 and signed by Gemma, to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary to auction off for the charity.
Gemma said: “I was happy to donate my Strictly dancing shoes to Bleakholt to auction off.
“I had some good times in them – and despite being high they were comfortable to dance in!
“It’s tough times for everyone at the moment, especially a site as big as Bleakholt, so hopefully these can raise some money for the sanctuary while, whoever bids the highest, will have a piece of Strictly history!”
They are currently on show at Bleakholt’s new charity shop in Market Street, Bacup.
Gemma has been President of Bleakholt for a number of years and has her own dogs, Ollie and Norman, who regularly feature on her social media accounts.
Bleakholt rehomes dogs, cats and other small animals while horses, donkeys, goats, pigs and more live out their lives at the site.
The sanctuary, which is spread over 55 acres in Edenfield, has a vast array of animals, from dogs and cats to horses and farm animals.
Their vision is ‘For every animal that comes into our care to have the best life possible and the opportunity to be re-homed in a safe, loving environment’.
They believe that every animal deserves a second chance so often take in animals that have health conditions or are elderly and try and make their stay as close to a home as possible by having special dedicated oldies areas.
The money made for the shoes sale will directly go towards Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
The shoes are being auctioned on eBay here from Wednesday, September 28, and the closing date for bids is Friday, October 7.
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