We joined our colleagues from The Calico Group and put on our dancing shoes in order to raise money for charity.
Jan O’Callaghan, SafeNet Area Manager, and Alex Atkinson, Head of Support Services, paired up to showcase their fanciest footwork on the Blackpool Tower Ballroom dance floor as the first ever ‘Calico Come Dancing’ same-sex dance couple for the evening.
Along with several other novice couples from across the company, including fellow SafeNet colleague, Gillian Taylor, they have worked tirelessly all year to learn a complex series of challenging dance routines, including the Tango, Waltz, Jive and Cha-Cha alongside a ‘Greatest Showman’ themed group dance for the popular ‘Calico Group Dancing’ event.
Dancers were dressed the part and dance lessons were provided by Stephen Reece-Buck from Energize Dance and Fitness in Burnley, and Janet Lee Chapman from JLC Dance in Blackpool.
The event even gained the attention of BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge, Shirley Ballas, who wished The Calico Group participants good luck via a dedicated video.
Calico Come Dancing was organised as part of Calico’s Wellbeing Initiative, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of staff, and strengthening relationships across The Calico Group.
The event was fully funded through ticket sales and generous sponsorship from local businesses. There was also a ‘People’s Vote’, where people attending the event were encouraged to send a text vote for their favourite couple, with all money raised going to charity.