DANCING shoes are being dusted off at Tranent Day Centre as its own Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser takes place.

In recent years, clients at the centre, located on Sanderson's Wynd, have raised money themselves for the festive season to pay for special treats such as a Christmas party and presents.

This year, the members are taking on a new challenge: walking around the equivalent of Scotland’s lochs.

Staff at the day centre attach pedometers to the clients when they come in, which then count their steps throughout the day.

To make it even more fun for everyone, they are joining in with their favourite celebrities and ballroom professionals with a Strictly theme. Members enjoy dancing and judging each other with score paddles.

Everyone gets involved with the fundraiser

The centre also has been decorated and transformed into a ballroom with plenty of glitter, and members wear wigs, hats and sparkly outfits. 

Shona Sibley, entertainment co-ordinator at the day centre, said: “Our point at the day centre is companionship and friendship, and taking them away from the four walls that they look at day in, day out.

“One of our main aspects is their health and wellbeing, and keeping them moving because they would possibly be sitting on an easy chair at home all day, so this is what the dancing promotes: keeping it moving.”

The fundraiser started last Tuesday with St Mary’s Loch, which is 42 miles – they completed the distance after the first week.

Shona added: “They’re loving it! They’re getting so involved and were saying on Tuesday: ‘Have we done a loch yet?’”

“Some of them walk up and down the corridor to get their steps in, they’re very good at building up the mileage!”

 “Each time we have an entertainer in, it bumps up their steps.

“They’re very much Scotland lovers, they love to talk about Scotland all the time.”

On a Tuesday, Wednesday and every second Thursday, Tranent-based Radio Saltire presents its Golden Oldies show, presented by Jim McGarvie between 10am and noon, featuring nostalgic songs from the past.

READ MORE: Day centre residents tune in to hear Radio Saltire requests

Every week, staff members ask the clients for requests which Jim then plays and everyone sings and dances along to.

The day centre's interior has been transformed.

Jim said: "To be honest, I used to be quite quiet – it's also hard because it's only you in there recording, there's no one else around.

"But I love it! It makes my week."

Shona explained how the day centre's members had "thrived immensely" since the radio show started. 

She said: "This has most definitely highlighted the fact to us that this kind gesture is very important in our elderly community.  

"It's great for our centre. It never fails and it helps their health and wellbeing, especially with dementia."

On October 25, Jim is visiting the centre to record a special live show and see the impact that music has on members.

Shona added: "We cannot show and express our gratitude enough to Jim, he brings so much to Tranent Day Centre by doing this very small act of kindness, and the delight that he brings to our clients is irreplaceable."