Over 40 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides in Girlguiding's Brentford District received a surprise visit from professional Strictly dancers and a former contestant for a Children in Need fundraiser last week.

In the lead up to BBC Children in Need's appeal night on Friday, 19 November, professional dancers Dianne Buswell and Karen Hauer of BBC Strictly Come Dancing joined previous contestant and former Girlguiding member Saffron Barker to add a 'Strictly' twist to their fundraising.

Dianne, Karen and Saffron spent time with the Brentford Girlguiding members and had the chance to 'judge' the Strictly-inspired fundraising activities.

The visit on Wednesday, 10 November celebrated the fundraising efforts of the 320,000 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Girlguiding volunteers to get behind BBC Children in Need's 'Get Your Strictly On' fundraiser.

"Wow – what a fantastic group of girls! It was so much fun to be able to celebrate and join in with the 'Strictly' inspired fundraising activities," Karen Hauer said.

"It was a joy to see the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides giving 110% effort to raise money to benefit other children and young people across the country."

All money raised through the partnership between BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding will be split equally between the two organisations and will go on to make a difference to young lives across the UK.

Brentford Brownies Manu and Sia got to meet the Strictly Come Dancing stars and take part in the activities during the visit.

Brownie, Manu, aged 9, said: "I had an amazing time learning dance moves and decorating Strictly Come Dancing Glitter Ball cookies for BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding. Everyone should get involved and raise some money!"

Brownie, Sia, aged 7, said: "I had such a fun time – my favourite part was decorating the cookies and meeting the Strictly Come Dancing stars! I love coming to Brownies to make new friends and try different activities."

50% of the total funds raised will support BBC Children in Need's projects and 25% will support Girlguiding's national projects. The final 25% of funds raised by the appeal will support local Girlguiding.

Saffron Barker said: "As a former Brownie myself, it was wonderful to be able to visit a unit again and join in with their fundraising efforts ahead of the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

"I love how this year the girls are adding a 'Strictly' twist to their fundraising and it was so fun being reunited with Dianne and Karen to help them celebrate.

"I know first-hand how important Girlguiding units are and what a positive impact they can have and so it is a pleasure to be able to support Girlguiding and BBC Children in Need."

Girlguiding members up and down the country are being encouraged to add a Strictly-inspired twist to their fundraising, individually, with their families or as a unit.

From completing a danceathon, bake sale with ballroom themed cakes, upcycling items to sell, or focusing on achieving a perfect 10 score by running, walking or skipping whether for 10 minutes or 10 miles.

To mark the challenge, Girlguiding has launched a special BBC Children in Need 2021 Pudsey badge which will join one of its 100s of badges, as well as new Strictly-inspired hair scrunchies featuring Pudsey.