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Winter 2020Rochdale's Got Talent

Out of 13 finalists, one local 11-year-old blew the judges and public away, being crowned the winner of Rochdale’s Got Talent 2020.

Dancer Xela Mills was named champion of Rochdale’s Got Talent back in June; an online competition organised when local lockdown was still rife to keep community spirits high.

Organised by Man of Rochdale Paul Ellison and technical expert Sam Kutereba-Wall, the contest aimed to raise £10,000 for Springhill Hospice after major fundraising events were cancelled and charity shops closed.

With over 2,000 votes, the talented Xela, a member of Turners Dance Studio and Castleton Primary School student, was named the winner of the contest on 8 June and presented with the grand prize – a £1,000 jewellery voucher for J&D Alexander on The Walk - in July.

Mr Ellison said: “We had a lot of fun bringing this edition of Rochdale’s Got Talent to people’s social media whilst we’ve been in lockdown. It has been a fantastic competition, raising £8,375 in total for Springhill Hospice, which requires over £3.2 million each year to remain open. Thank you to everyone who took part.”

Julie Halliwell, CEO at Springhill Hospice, said: “It has been wonderful to see an event bring people together even through this difficult time. The money raised will make such a difference to the hospice and help us continue providing the vital care across the borough.”