Lightning strikes to win dancing showcase
“Rhys Lightnin” won over the judges and secured family bragging rights at the Dancing for a Cause event.
Nelson forestry company operations manager Rhys Black and his dance partner Rebecca Higham won the event, staged over two nights at the Trafalgar Centre, for their rock n’roll routine to Greased Lightnin’ from the Grease musical.
Black had “Rhys Lightnin” in sequins on the back of his jacket. Among the nine other contestants he beat to the title was wife Hazel Black, the dance partner to World Bank consultant Blair Cameron.
Cameron, who narrowly missed becoming Nelson MP at the last election, later had his trademark man-bun shaved off after reaching his fundraising target of $100,000.
The 10 contestants together raised a record $580,000 for the hospice from a variety of events, including gala and quiz nights, raffles, a house sale and a long-distance run.
The event’s inaugural People’s Choice Award on Friday night was won by Sport Tasman chief executive Ed Shuttleworth and dance partner Brooke Silke-Atkins.
The other contestants were Motueka South School deputy principal Lauretta Haskell, Four Square Brightwater owner Anna Hay, Norriss Building owner Ritchie Norriss, Telfer Electrical Wholesalers owner Steph Collett, Nelson city councillor Campbell Rollo, and The Car Company sales consultant Wendy Blincoe.
Many had little or no dance experience before taking on the challenge, with 15 weeks rehearsing
Nelson Tasman Hospice chief executive Tony Gray said the fundraiser made a real difference to its ability to continue offering free services.
The hospice receives about half of its funding from Health New Zealand, leaving an annual shortfall of $4 million to be funded through its retail shops, donations and fundraisers.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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