An Edinburgh schoolgirl competing in Scotland’s Strictly Kids dance competition is dedicating her performance to her grandmother after she was killed in a crash.
Annette Dixon, 70, died after being struck by a car in Edinburgh two months ago.
Her 12-year-old granddaughter Alex has chosen to honour her life in the competition out of her grandmother’s love for Strictly Come Dancing and in turn is raising money for other bereaved children through the event.
Alex’s mum, Tracey Donaldson-Dixon, said: “My mum was a big Strictly Come Dancing fan before she passed and obviously this is Strictly for kids, which is slightly different, but in theory it’s kind of along the same lines.
“She just never missed it, she watched it, she’s got the DVDs – all of these kinds of things.
“We found the DVDs when we were clearing out my mum’s house, that’s when Alex said, ‘right, I’m going to do this for nana’.
Tracey Donaldson-DixonAlex said: “Now I have the DVDs and I thought the one thing that she would have loved would be to have a ticket to come see me dance.
“I thought she would have come to see it, so I might as well do it in honour of her.”
Tracy added: “She would be so proud, she would absolutely be so proud.”
Every year, the ballroom dancing event raises money for a Scottish children’s charity.
This year the dancers are supporting The Miracle Foundation which helps young people who have experienced grief, loss or trauma.
Founder of Strictly Kids, Tracy Donald, said: “We choose a charity months ago and you have no idea at the time that actually one of the children involved understands why we’re doing this.
“It’s so sad how it’s come about, but Alex has been wonderful, putting a positive spin on this.
“Now she understands why choosing the charity was so important, because she’s suffering bereavement and loss through a traumatic circumstance for their whole family.
“So, it’s important for services like this because if she ever needs them then they would be there for her.”
Her dance partner, Sofia McCart, and coach, Ellen Caw, have been there for her along every step of the way.
Ellen said: “Alex for me has pretty much just taken everything in her stride, she’s come in, worked hard, always been ready to go – always comes in with a big smile on her face.
“Sofia has probably given her a bit more support than I have, being there as the partnership.
“I think that she’ll just feel like her grans watching her, I don’t think there will be a dry eye in the house if I’m honest.”
Alex will compete in the Strictly Kids competition in Glasgow on Saturday. She has set up a fundraising page for the Miracle Foundation as part of the event.
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