HELLA’s Simone Brooks shines on the dancefloor for charity

FORVIA HELLA Customer Services Manager, Simone Brooks, swapped customer calls for the cha-cha last weekend (11–12  April), dancing her way to second place overall at Strictly Banbury 2025 and claiming first place in the group freestyle performance, set to SIX the Musical.

The annual event, hosted at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury, raised funds for Help for Heroes and saw Simone take to the stage on both Friday and Saturday night. She not only wowed the judges and audience but has so far raised more than £2,000 for the military charity.

Simone’s standout performance was the result of months of hard work and determination. Training for 11 hours a week, she dedicated herself to perfecting two technically demanding routines, the Foxtrot and the Salsa, as well as an energetic group number that lit up the auditorium.

“It’s been an incredible experience and something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Simone. “To be able to raise money for such a worthy cause while doing something completely out of my comfort zone has been amazing. I’m so grateful for all the support.”

Colleagues from across HELLA UK turned out to cheer Simone on, reflecting the company’s strong sense of community and support. Headquartered in Banbury, HELLA is a leading global supplier of OE-quality parts, advanced diagnostics, and technical training, supporting the independent aftermarket with solutions trusted by workshops and distributors alike.

“We’re incredibly proud of Simone and everything she’s achieved,” said Neil Grant, Managing Director at HELLA UK. “Her commitment to the training and fundraising, has been truly inspiring. It’s a fantastic example of the passion and drive we value so highly at HELLA, whether it’s supporting customers, colleagues or the wider community.”