South Lanarkshire Fundraising success

Miss Demeanour and her South Lanarkshire Burlesque ladies hit the press this week with their fundraising success for SSAFA! Read all about it…..

It's unlikely that the words above have ever before featured in a fundraising, or any other, story from SSAFA. But it all started with the help you gave to Gary, a beloved Scots Guards veteran and dad... These are actually the names of burlesque performers who put on a show at Blantyre Victoria FC for SSAFA!

The event was organised by Nikkole Jamieson, a burlesque chair dance instructor whose aim is to help ladies love themselves again, get fit, lose weight, gain confidence, make new friendships and have fun. Nikkole says: "We celebrate all different ages, shapes and sizes, and though most of my wonderful ladies have never danced before, they have overcome many fears. They're truly the best team in the shire, and I couldn't be prouder of them."

They raised over £1,000 for SSAFA - in Nikkole's very first fundraising event! There is, of course, a reason behind the burlesque fundraiser for SSAFA. One very personal to Nikkole. Her father, Scots Guards veteran Gary, has been a SSAFA beneficiary and a long-time supporter of the charity. He has taken part in Kiltwalks and spoken at events. Even bringing a busy restaurant - and two political leaders - to silence as he spoke of losing three limbs in an IED blast in Afghanistan and how he has persevered with the help of your generosity through SSAFA.

Nikkole says: "SSAFA was one of the amazing charities that helped my father and my family through his horrible time, and I had to give back for this reason. I don't think I will ever be able to thank them enough, but l will try."

"SSAFA has done so much" Nikkole wants to thank both the ladies of her burlesque troupe and the SSAFA team for a wonderful night. Since then, Nikkole has also entered a team of 20 dancers - the Burlesque Troupers - from her classes for the 11-mile Big Stroll, part of the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, to raise further funds for SSAFA.