A RECORD-BREAKING total of over $140,000 was raised for the Stand Like Stone Foundation during this year’s 10th anniversary of Swinging with the Stars.
The Barn came to life on Saturday night when 580 people from the Limestone Coast community gathered for a night filled with glitz and glamour.
While incredible dancing was the entertainment for the evening, it was the fundraising efforts of the contestants and the overwhelming generosity of the community that stole the show.
As the competing dancers pulled their dancing shoes on to complete four different dances, the strong crowd was still reaching deep into their pockets to add to the $123,000 raised by the contestants.
“The board of Stand Like Stone is absolutely over the moon with the support the foundation has received at Swinging with the Stars in the last 10 years,” Stand Like Stone chairman Bill DeGaris said.
“Swinging with the Stars is now firmly on the Limestone Coast agenda as a formidable fundraiser.”
It was the announcement of the people’s choice winner that left the room stunned when it was revealed Port MacDonnell local and Kingsley Country Fire Service group officer Grant Fensom had managed to raise an incredible $44,788 for the foundation.
“It has been an honour and such a humbling experience to have been involved in the 10th year of Swinging with the Stars,” Mr Fensom said.
“There is only so much money people can afford to give, so to be able to raise such a significant amount of money for the foundation was just completely overwhelming.”
After the fundraising efforts were appropriately recognised, the dance judges took centre stage to crown the winners of the 2017 Swinging with the Stars.
Judges were faced with a tough task following a hotly contested final, however Penola’s Amanda Flint and partner Jordan Brennan were dubbed the best dancers on the night.
“Amanda and Jordan were deserving winners on the evening, but it was an amazing job by all dancers and the crowd loved the entertainment and colour,” judge Joanna Hodges said.
Ms Flint took her chance to thank the Penola and Coonawarra communities for helping raise over $20,000 for the foundation.
“I was honoured to be asked to represent the Penola and Coonawarra communities and it was just a massive buzz to be able to bring back a trophy to the town,” Ms Flint said.
“I have been feeling the love since winning the event, but more important than that is the support we received to raise a figure three times the goal of $7000 that we originally set ourselves.”
Mr Fensom and Ms Flint had fierce but friendly competition from the other stars on the night, which included Christian Cella, Jack Kelly, Samara Grear, Peter Zeitz, Nicole Hocking and Beck Laurenson.
While they were up against each other on the night, the eight weeks of intensive practice they completed together before the event had given the dancers a special bond.
“I am 110pc going to miss it now that it is over because all those people and their partners were just such loveable characters,” Mr Fensom said.
“My partner Kath Miller is also just an awesome person, I don’t think I have ever met someone so committed to dance as her.
“While I’m sure I will catch up with them all again socially, I am already experiencing some post Swinging with the Stars blues.”
Choreographer Kim Cella helped train the contestants for the third year in a row and was quick to praise everyone involved.
“All of the celebrities did such an amazing job,” Ms Cella said.
“Every year they keep raising the bar that little bit higher.”
They raised it so high, Mr Fensom had his eyes on a bigger target.
“We’ve completed this event, so I think we are going to go chase down Euan Doidge now,” he joked.
An internationally acclaimed performer, Mr Doidge was joined by other previous competitors in sending video messages of congratulations, which were shown prior to the dancing.
