Director of Liverpool civil engineering firm Sutcliffe, William ‘Billy’ Baldwin, scooped a top prize for his ballroom dancing and raised more than £1,740 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Liverpool company director William Baldwin danced away with the top prize at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s Strictly Ballroom event – and raised more than £1,740 for the charity.
William, known as Billy to his colleagues at civil and structural engineering firm Sutcliffe, and his dance partner Julie Yates scored top marks with the judges at the event at the Devonshire Hotel which raised a total of £42,000.
Billy and Julie alone raised £1,740 to support the vital research carried out by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation funds research into both the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
Having put in hours of practice, both in the studio, the Sutcliffe office…and on any opportunity he could take elsewhere, Billy fully engrossed himself into the lifestyle of a professional dancer, with this seemingly just the beginning of his dancing exploits now.
He said: “To raise more than £42,000 as a team for a charity that is so close to many of our hearts in the city is incredible and although I am over the moon to have won on the night, the money raised and the exposure gained means so much more to me than the winners trophy.
“Lung cancer is the biggest killer of all cancers with over 43,000 cases being diagnosed every year many of which have a sad ending. More than 25% of those diagnosed have never smoked and it affects both young and older people the same. The money raised will go to help with early diagnosis and treatment.
With Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to helping people affected by lung cancer, Sutcliffe’s star performer will continue to dance and fundraise for the charity
Billy added: “I’d like to thank everyone that has donated to the cause, shown their support on social media and helped me achieve a lifelong dream of dancing on the biggest stage.
“Without my family, dance partner Julie, colleagues at Sutcliffe and friends, none of this would have been possible. Donations are still open and this certainly won’t be the last time I dance or raise money for the Roy Castle team.”