Shirley Ballas has announced her "biggest challenge yet" to raise money for the charity CALM — the Campaign Against Living Miserably.
The Queen of Latin had her dog Charlie on her lap as she announced what the daring feat would entail in a video on Instagram. On 12 August, the Strictly Judge will be taking part in a skyathlon to fundraise for the mental health charity, despite being "terrified of heights!"
The skyathlon will include a zip line travelling at 100 miles per hour, a wing walk while strapped to the wings of an aeroplane, and a skydive from 15,000 feet freefalling.
Shirley encouraged followers to donate "any amount that you possibly can. I really want you to be there with me every step of the way so we can do this for past loved ones or loved ones that are suffering."
CALM announced Shirley had joined the charity as an ambassador in January 2022. She's spoken widely about the tragic loss of her brother David in 2003, which inspired her to become an ambassador for the charity. Upon appointing Shirley as an ambassador, a statement from CALM reads: "Shirley Ballas knows first hand that people don’t always talk when they’re finding things hard. In 2003 she lost her brother David, who took his own life after dealing with depression. Unaware that he’d been suffering, Shirley has since been fuelled to encourage people to stop putting on a ‘brave face’ and talk to someone they trust, be it a friend, family member or a charity like CALM."
