Dancing for a Cause raises $440k

Dancing for a Cause Charitable Trust has announced the total amount raised from the 2023 NBS Dancing for a Cause event has "shattered" all previous fundraising records.

The whopping $440,000 total came from ticket sales, contestant fundraisers and collections on the evening.

Dacne contestant Cheryl Candish, Head of English at Nelson College for Girls, was recognised for her exceptional dedication to fundraising at the announcement on Thursday evening.

Cheryl raised $85,462.87 through raffles, donations, a ‘Paint & Sip’ event, a clothes swap, an 80s night, and the fundraising dinner ‘Star Talk for Hospice’ which raised $70,000 alone.

“Having a great 'Team Cheryl' campaign manager was the key to my fundraising. Rebecca Byen worked tirelessly behind the scenes for every fundraiser we did," Cheryl says. "It also helped to know people who 'knew people' as well. Having good contacts made our biggest fundraiser, 'Star Talk for Hospice', the success it was. Coming up with interesting and original fundraising ideas that people want to come along to is also important.”

All fund raised from the event go towards supporting the vital work of the Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Those that attended NBS Dancing for a Cause this year were inspired as contestants shared their journey and gave it their all on 27 May at the Trafalgar Centre.

The energy of the night was infectious, as the contestants and dancers had the audience completely captivated, with the full force of the support for the contestants radiating from all corners of the stadium.

Sport Tasman's Ryan Edwards along with his dance partner Hazel Adcock won over the judges with their Viennese Waltz and were crowned this year’s NBS Dancing for a Cause winner.

The People's Choice Award for the evening, determined through audience voting, was presented to Kat Campbell of KC & Co Real Estate and her dance partner Joel Scott, for dancing the Paso Doble.

When asked if Cheryl had any advice for 2025 contestants, she says "embrace the journey".

"Have fun and be prepared to have some sleepless nights.  Make sure you have people around you that can support your fundraising efforts and probably most importantly, trust in the process. Emma, Sally, and the team know exactly what they're doing.”

Nelson Tasman Hospice has extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Dancing for a Cause Charitable Trust, to all participants, the volunteers, the sponsors, and those who attended, for making the event the "overwhelming success" it was.

Dancing for a Cause Nelson Charitable Trust chair Emma Silke-French, says she couldn’t be happier or more proud of the contestants, the dancers and the many supporters and people that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the 2023 event happen.  

"The night was a total dance spectacular and to know that all the hard work has resulted in this financial support for hospice services in our community is beyond rewarding."