Former Conservative MP and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe appeared at a fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ms Widdecombe told stories from the hit television show and from her political life at a fundraising lunch that raised £2,145 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

A hundred people attended the Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove, to hear the former Maidstone and the Weald MP talk about her varied life. She gave her time for free and also gave profits from the sale of her books at the event.

Julie Thomson, chair of the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Fundraising Committee of Macmillan Cancer Support , said: “Ann kept everyone spellbound for an hour whilst she talked about Strictly Come Dancing, the part she played in the TV reality show 24 hours in the Past, and entertaining anecdotes about her life as an MP.

“She is such a delightful, amusing lady and we are grateful to her for giving up her time to help us raise money”.

The event was the last for the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Fundraising Committee. After 30 years the committee is disbanding and in those years £404,000 has been collected locally.

The committee has been running since 1987, raising funds to support people affected by cancer, by voluntarily organising events such as coffee mornings, fairs, dinners, and collections in Kingsbridge and Salcombe.

The current committee include Juliet Thompson, who has been with them for 14 years, Marion Bell, Ann Hill, Vanetta Hosking, Pat Nettleton and Angela Thomas.

Julie Thompson added: “We are so grateful to the support from the local community and visitors who have helped us raise so much money over the years to help provide services in our hospitals that support people living with cancer.”

The charity is now encouraging local people to step forward and start a new fundraising group in the area.

A new fundraising group can be four or five friends who organise events that they would enjoy throughout the year and represent the charity in their community.

Anyone who is interested can contact get involved can contact fundraising manager Sian Ward-Edwards on 07834 192244 or email her on: [email protected]

Anyone affected by cancer can call the free Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 between Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm.