[/caption]WINNERS of this year’s Martel Maides Dancefloor Challenge 2009 were the first couple in the competition’s history to be given a perfect score.
Chris Markham and Kelly Baudains walked away on Saturday night with the top prize in the Strictly Come Dancing-style event and scored a perfect 80 from the judges for their waltz and paso doble. The pair proved popular with the audience of 400, who helped to raise thousands of pounds for a local charity.
Mr Markham, the former licensee of Taylor’s Bar and Brasserie, said he was very surprised to win.
‘It felt great and [we] really enjoyed it,’ he said.
‘We have worked hard to get here. This night might seem easy, but there has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes.’
Dance partner Kelly Baudains managed to place second last year and was very pleased to have climbed to the top spot.
‘When you find someone who has a knack for it, it does help,’ she said.
‘He’s also very good on his feet.’
Mr Markham and Ms Baudains were just two of the 22 personalities and amateur dancers taking part in the sell-out event.
Local charity Wigwam, which helps special needs children and their families, will be the beneficiary of the night’s fund-raising efforts. The charity’s chairwoman, Jenny Hooper, said she was very pleased that it was benefiting.
‘We do fund-raise, but it is the donations we so gratefully receive that enable us to continue,’ she said.
Event organiser Jamie Le Tissier said he hoped they had raised £7,000 in total through ticket sales, a raffle and an auction held on the night. Meanwhile, plans are already under way for next year’s event after estate agents Martel Maides said it would like to continue to sponsor the contest.
Full story and more picturesPages 22 & 23.Practice makes perfect for Dancefloor Challenge winners
Article posted on 27th April, 2009 - 2.29pm
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