A secretary is limbering up to take part in a charity dancing competition as a special thank you to North London Hospice for helping support her sister.

Gail Owen, 56, of Whetstone will dance the salsa alongside her boss Mark Smith, 44, at the finals at Millfield Theatre on Saturday February 9.

They will compete against 11 couples who each have to raise at least £500 for the hospice which supports people with life limiting illnesses.

Gail, a secretary at Hampstead Golf Club, said: “My sister Sara has MSA, a severe form of Parkinson’s and is being looked after by the palliative team at the hospice.

“They’ve been really supportive so I thought this would be a good way to give something back.”

Mark, manager at Hampstead Golf Club, has a few tactics he hopes will score the pair some extra marks.

He said: “I have been threatening to wear some Velcro trousers. You can’t take it too seriously – we’re just trying to raise as much money as we can.

“I’ve never danced before in my life so I’m just going to give it my best shot on the night. I’m sure a lot of my members will pay good money to see me on the dance floor.”

To sponsor Gail and Mark click here.