'Strictly' event in memory of Kettering boy raises £60,000

Sebastian Nunney died earlier this year after being diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2020

A Strictly-style dance event has raised £60,000 for a play room at the hospital that treated a six-year-old boy who died of cancer.

The event was organised in honour of Sebastian Nunney, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who died in January.

He had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive and complex cancer usually found in young children, in 2020.

His family has thanked everyone involved in the event.

Sebastian loved the colour orange so a Go Orange day was organised to raise money

Sebastian would have been seven last month, and his family marked the occasion with his favourite meal of fish and chips.

He had made a huge impact on the town of Kettering during the three years since his diagnosis, inspiring fundraising events from auctions of promises to concerts and "Go Orange" days.

The money was to be used for his treatment in Europe or America.

He was also chosen to switch on Kettering's Christmas Lights last year.

The money raised by the Strictly-style event will go to the children's wards at Northampton General Hospital

Following his death, the dance event was organised by Lisa Jones from the MaSh dance studio in Kettering.

It took place at Wicksteed Park Pavilion on 2 March, with tickets being snapped up for the dress rehearsal as well as the main event.

Sebastian's father Gregg said: "Eight-hundred people came to watch it at Wicksteed Park. We had hundreds more who dialled in to watch it on the live feed.

"It was incredible really but bitter-sweet and made worthwhile at the end by knowing how much money we raised."

By the end of the night, "Team Sebastian" had collected £56,420 but the money kept coming in.

Sebastian would have wanted the money to go toward play facilities at Northampton General Hospital, his family said

It will go towards improvements in outdoor play facilities for children being treated in the Disney and Paddington wards at Northampton General Hospital.

Mr Nunney said: "For young people who, for the majority of their lives, have had limiting health conditions, the play facilities and the play team are part of their lives and it's a really important thing to keep them grounded and to keep the family sane while you're in that situation".

Sebastian's parents will hand over a cheque for £60,000 on Friday.