I want to pay tribute to the hundreds of Nelsonians who helped make such a success of NBS Dancing for a Cause last Saturday night at the Trafalgar Centre raising over $150,000 for our Nelson/Tasman Hospice.
This classy event was a positive statement of who we are as Nelsonians. It shows we love life and enjoy music and dance. It shows we care for each other when families face the toughest of times. It showed incredible generosity with an army of volunteers. So many businesses like NBS and the Nelson Weekly contributed goods, services and cash at a time when business is challenging. It also showed resilience that the show proceeded after the cancellation from Covid last year and the loss of thousands when their ticketing company went broke.
The distraction of regular dance practice over the past 6 months has been good for my body and soul. The professional dancers who supported us, like my dance partner Zara Fowler were patient and the stars of the show. It was fun getting to know the other contestants, Abbie Cook, Sarah Board, Al Columbus, Hamish Fletcher, Phill Jones, Lizl Matthewson and Grant Rosewarne. Congratulations to Abbie Cook and her partner Anthony Hewson on their well-deserved victory.
My loudest praise goes to Emma Silke-French, her husband Derryn and the Dancing for a Cause Trustees. Emmas talent for choreography, passion for Hospice and organisational skills make the event and her a local legend.
Mahatma Gandhi stated that the true measure of a society can be found in how it cares for its most vulnerable. I rate our Nelson/ Tasman Hospice as amongst the best anywhere in the world for caring for our terminally ill. I am proud that our community came together to support it so strongly with Dancing for a Cause.
