CAMDEN Haven Courier editor Kate Dwyer is quietly "packing bricks" in the lead up to her dancing debut at the Hastings Celebrity Dance for Cancer.
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"Other than hiding among the crowd grooving at a concert, I haven't danced properly since doing five minutes of Jazzercise class as a kid, back in the 80s," Kate said.
Kate extended her sympathies to Laurieton dance instructor Jo Rowan, from Movement Studio.
"Jo will be teaching me the routine and I think the first step, and biggest challenge, will be teaching my brain and limbs to communicate and work together in a coordinated way," said Kate.
This is the second annual Hastings Celebrity Dance for Cancer, launched on Thursday at Rydes Hotel.
A new crop of enthusiastic local identities will don their dancing shoes and strut their stuff on November 28 to raise funds for Cancer Council NSW.
This year's glamorous event will again be presented by Focus Magazine and boasts an exciting line up of dancers to trip the light fantastic, also including - Tanya Newman from Bennetts Steel, Lou Perri, owner of The Stunned Mullet; Zoe Van Mill from XYZ Support, Mark Enor from Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding, David Plews from First National Real Estate and Kate Dwyer to name just a few.
"We are really excited with the line up of local talent who will be performing this year," said Focus' sales manager, Louise Beaumont.
"It is a huge commitment from these local business people to learn to dance and fundraise; and we are very grateful to them and their dance teachers for being part of it. Our local dance stars have no formal dance training, therefore it makes for a very exciting event to see them take on the challenge to learn a routine and then present it in front of a live audience on the night."
Last year the inaugural event saw over 300 tickets sold and raised $40,000 for Cancer Council NSW. The star-studded event was won by Kate Wood-Foye, Director of Sales & Marketing for Rydges Port Macquarie. Kate and dance partner Royal Caribbean contract dancer, Jason Dubock from the USA, put on an impressive performance earning perfect 10s from the panel of judges.
"This year we are aiming to raise over $50,000," said Sarah Rogers, Cancer Council NSW community relations coordinator.
Three judges will choose a winner and guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite for the people's choice award as well as supporting their favourite dance duo by donating online or attending their fundraising activities in the lead up to the event.
"The main aim of Hastings Celebrity Dance For Cancer is to raise much needed funds for Cancer Council NSW, so that the 360 or so people diagnosed with cancer in the Port Macquarie/Hastings region each year will gain the benefit of not facing cancer alone through its supportive programs," Sarah said.
"Programs like Cancer Council's Transport to Treatment, its Eat It To Beat It programs and the SunSmart program creating awareness and educating people in our communities about ways to reduce their risk of cancer."
Tickets to the gala event at Rydges will be on sale from September 1st.
Kate will be fundraising hard in the Camden Haven in the lead up to the main event in November.
Kate and Jo are the only 100 per cent Camden Haven team.
"Our community is so supportive, I'm confident we can smash the minimum fundraising level of $3000 per dancer," said Kate.
"If i'm going to do this I'm going to work hard with Jo training and get out into the community to fundraise; if we're in it we might as well win it!"
To donate click on Kate's fundraising page here. Or make a donation at any of Kate's upcoming events.... details soon!