Nine brave couples helped to raise £14,000 for hospice patients in a charity dance extravaganza last weekend.

After just six weeks’ training with professionals Brian and Shirley Cusworth, from Balia-Cusworth Dance School, they took to the stage at The Hospice of St Francis’ Strictly Learn Dancing grand finale on Saturday.

In a close contest of daring lifts and splits, three couples – Sharon and Sam Dodd, from Ley Hill, near Chesham, Pauline King and her partner Ken Hart, from Redbourn, and Janine Dines and her partner Richard Carter-Savigear, from Tring – made it through to the dance-off, performing the jive to music they had never heard before.

Sharon and Sam were crowned victors of the judges choice trophy, while Gavin Anderson, from Hemel Hempstead, and his partner Emma Young – who is living with secondary breast cancer and has been supported by the hospice since her diagnosis – clinched the audience choice trophy.

Sharon, 36, and husband Sam took part to thank the hospice for caring for Sharon’s mum for four weeks before she died last October.

She said: “We couldn’t believe we’d won.

“The whole experience was so much fun – we loved every minute. We felt as though we were part of one big family and it was lovely for Sam and I to do something together in Mum’s memory. We’ve been overwhelmed by everyone’s support – 57 family members and friends cheered us on, including our three daughters who are six, five and three, and together they’ve helped us raise £1,830 and counting for the hospice.”

Sharon’s friend and work colleague Lynn Blair, 62, and her dance partner Neil Brown, 55, from Edlesborough, also took part, raising £1,050 of their £600 target, while primary school teacher, Anne Lee, from Ley Hill, and her stockbroker friend Tony Shaw, from Ashley Green, dusted off their dance shoes to give something back for “the wonderful, unique care” the hospice gave Anne’s mother-in-law.

So far, they too have raised more than £1,050.

Event organiser Hannah Norton said: “It was a fantastic night of full of glitter and glamour. We’re so proud of all our couples.

“They worked really hard, showed total commitment and found the courage and confidence to dance on stage in front of 400 people. To us, they’re all winners.

“I want to thank all of them for taking part, Shirley and Brian for giving their time for free to teach our dancers their steps, our judges, volunteers, Allstars Academy for their spectacular performances and Nick Bright for capturing it all on camera.”