A FUNDRAISING Ilkley father will be Puttin’ on the Ritz this weekend when he borrows some style from Fred Astaire for a glittering charity dance contest.

Ilkley’s Roger Fielding is one of a handful of fundraisers who have been taking intense and demanding dance lessons through January and February in preparation for Martin House Children’s Hospice’s Strictly Get Dancing competition this Saturday.

Fifteen couples will perform waltz and Argentine tango dance routines at the Engine Shed in Wetherby.

But to get in the spirit, Roger decided to cut a dash by dressing as iconic dancer, musician and Hollywood star Fred Astaire.

When he contacted Ilkley menswear and countrywear stockist and formal hire business, Eric Spencer, director Richard Rundle offered at once to supply him with an outfit for free.

Mr Rundle says it is not unknown for customers to mention the name Fred Astaire when looking for an especially stylish outfit.

Roger took delivery of his outfit at the shop last week, and was shown how to put on his backless waistcoat, wing collar dress shirt, tailcoat, fasten his bow tie, and even fold a handkerchief in his pocket correctly.

He also plans to watch a few Fred Astaire films just to get into the part.

Although the competition is set to be a lot of fun for those taking part, there is a serious side to it – that of raising much-needed funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, Boston Spa.

His family are among the many whose lives have been touched by the care and support Martin House has to offer.

His eldest son, Oliver, died four years ago, just before his 13th birthday, and his youngest son, Max, faces the same life-limiting condition.

As a family, the Fieldings spend time together at Martin House. Louis, Roger’s middle son, who has faced particular challenges with his brothers, also loves staying at the hospice The family greatly appreciated their bereavement support following Oliver’s death and continue to benefit from the hospice support and care for Max. Roger said: “This event brings together my deep wish to contribute what I can to Martin House’s brilliantly supportive work with life limited children and their families, with my developing love of that most addictive and yet elusive of dances, Argentine Tango.”

He and his dance partner, whom he was paired up with for the competition by Martin House, plan to do their tango routine to the song Roxane – originally a hit for The Police, but reworked in sensual South American style for the film Moulin Rouge.

Mr Fielding is hopeful his performance this weekend will catch the eye of the judges, but he also hopes his efforts will put Martin House in the money.

He aims to raise £5,000, and he is inviting people to sponsor him online at justgiving.com/Roger-Fielding