NBS Dancing for a Cause is a major fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice. It sees 10 locals, with varying degrees of dancing experience, team-up with trained dancers and hit the dance floor on Saturday 27 May at the Trafalgar Centre. This week, we talk to contestants Juliet Fleming, Sean Davis and Ryan Edwards about preparing and their hopes for the event.
What first drew you to NBS Dancing for a Cause?
Juliet: I have worked in hospice for over 20 years now, and for the last 15 years at Nelson Tasman Hospice. I see firsthand the benefits of hospice care every day. I have volunteered at the previous two events and have been so impressed with the enormous amount of effort of all participants and the NBS Dancing for a Cause Board members and the huge amount of money raised.
Sean: Initially it was the atmosphere at the event I attended previously. Add the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for a cause like Nelson Tasman Hospice and the personal challenge of actually learning a dance to perform and it sounds like my kinda party.
Ryan: Victoria (my wife) very kindly nominated me (without me knowing) and one day over a coffee she said…….. ‘I’ve done something’……….24 hours later I was having a coffee with Emma Silke-French talking about the show. The best part of 12 months on and I couldn’t be more excited that I said ‘yes’ to taking part.
Tell us about your previous dancing experience (or lack of).
Sean: Previous experience... never danced, just cut shapes from time to time but it’s normally late night stuff at one of Nelson’s hopso venues.
Juliet: Zip, Zilch, Zero: absolutely no ballroom dancing experience at all! I was ‘sent’ to ballet classes as a child aged 8 for a term but HATED it and was told that I would look much better with my tongue ‘IN’ my mouth! We used to say that my husband and I had four left feet between us.
Ryan: Very minimal and restricted to weddings or events post-midnight.
Why is the Nelson Tasman Hospice important to you?
Ryan: I’m very lucky (unlike many) that I have not had direct involvement or contact with the Hospice. The more I learn and the more I get emotionally involved, the more I want to do for this incredible organisation.
Sean: For me it’s all about the service they provide people in our region. The scope of the work they are involved in is massive and I dread to think of the hole that would be left without this amazing service and the amazing people involved.
Juliet: I have been blessed with a career that I absolutely love and would do exactly the same if I had to do it all over. I would like to see that Nelson Tasman Hospice can continue to provide services into the future despite the decreasing percentage of government funding that hospices receive.
How much money are you hoping to raise?
Sean: There is another hospo-based contestant (Mr Ben Douglas). We have a side bet on whoever raises the least money between us buys the first round at the after party. So, I’m aiming for $1 more than him.
Juliet: Each contestant has to raise $5000 but my initial goal was $20,000. Currently I am at $41,885 and I am hoping that I might make $50,000!
Ryan: I would love to make over $30,000. I’m amazed by how generous and supportive the Nelson public has been and I urge people to reach into their pockets one more time.
What can people expect from your performance?
Sean: Well, hopefully... a guy with his head up, shoulders back, looking natural and confident.
Ryan: Hopefully, it might surprise a few people. People who know me will know I’m an awful dancer so hopefully it might raise a few eyebrows and surprise a few people. Our dance is a little bit about telling a story so hopefully that comes out on the night.
Juliet: I hope that they can see how much fun Craig and I have had. I will strive to be graceful but for someone who is probably happier waving a chainsaw than my arms, it may be a challenge.
What are you most nervous about?
Juliet: Currently I am worried that I might injure myself (or Craig!) before the night or we get Covid so can’t perform.
Ryan: To be honest, I don’t really know the answer to that…….
Sean: My dance teacher Sally, dance partner Celina and my wife Steph have all sacrificed a lot to support me. They are all good ladies, but I wouldn’t want to get offside with any of them, so yeah, upsetting any of them makes me a little nervous.
What sort of practice or preparation and how much of it have you been doing?
Ryan: Just once a week with Emma and Hazel. Hazel and I have had the odd practice on a Sunday. I constantly find myself randomly practicing my steps on my own in the staffroom or living room. My daughters have been very helpfully playing dance partner. Victoria my wife…… not so keen!
Sean: Sally and Celina have had me practising plenty, I must be getting a little better as my daughters even let me dance with them in a couple of TikToks now.
Juliet: We have a weekly lesson with Emma and in the last few weeks we have tried to get one or two extra practices in. I have continued my normal weekly boxing sessions to increase my general fitness including a bootcamp fundraiser for fellow contestant Rosie James!
Has anything surprised you?
Sean: Lots! Firstly, The scope of the work hospice is involved in. You don’t know how much these guys do unless you see it first-hand. Secondly, The professionalism of the people organising this event. There is so much involved and so many moving parts that it really takes a team of superstars to make it happen. Thirdly, friendships are born through a shared adversity. Each dancer and contestant all live different lives and generally speaking are strangers at the start of this adventure but by this stage in the journey you’ve gained a new appreciation for each other.
Ryan: As I mentioned before, I’m surprised how much I have loved every second of the process. After accepting the fact I’m not a great dancer, relaxing and trusting the process, it has come together OK.
Juliet: I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would actually enjoy dancing. Craig and Emma have been so enthusiastic and encouraging.
What’s been the hardest part of the process?
Sean: “Head Up”, “Shoulders Back”, “Look Natural”, “Be Confident” - It’s all very foreign.
Ryan: Being patient and trusting that it will come together (hopefully). Not trying to learn the whole dance in three weeks. I can’t thank Emma and Hazel (my dance partner) enough for their patience and guidance over the past six months. They have made this whole process something that has been fun and enjoyable. I think I owe them a wine or two.
Juliet: Raising money has been a lot of work, I see so many charities trying hard to raise funds, but I am blown away by the generosity of our community and their support for hospice. Anna from Simplicity Funerals (my dance sponsors) and my work colleagues and neighbours have been with me every step of the way though, which is just awesome.
