AS the dazzling Swinging with the Stars event approaches this weekend, Penola’s star, Nicole Lear is polishing her dancing moves and getting her costumes prepped for the big night.
The Penola Primary School teacher has raised $8000 to date for the Stand Like Stone Foundation, through a variety of fundraisers held over the past few months.
“The first fundraiser was the community fete which was very successful, raising over $5000,” Ms Lear said.
“Just recently Raidis Estate hosted a pizza night for the community – where the winery kindly donated lots of their own time.”
The pizza night was a sell-out, providing 100 pizzas to over around 70 guests.
Donation boxes were also placed in various cafes around the town for people to make a contribution.
“The community have been getting behind and supporting each fundraiser, they truly have been amazing,” she said.
Ms Lear said she was prepared for her dance routines on Saturday night and also thanked Hype Dance for their skilled dancers and the way they continued to go out of their way to fit around busy schedules.
“I am feeling really good about the dancers,” she said.
Ms Lear will showcas her moves in a hip hop routine, a Fox Trot, Cha-Cha and Tango.
“Each dance is different and it has been really good to learn the diverse styles and have a lot of fun,” she said.
Ms Lear said she was most looking forward to the first dance, and feeling the energy from the crowd.
“It will be great for those people who will come and support me on the night to see the whole picture,” she said.
“They have seen bits and pieces of me practicing the routine in the classroom and at home – but to see me all dressed up doing the whole routine will be fantastic.”
Around 60 of Ms Lear’s family, friends and supporters will cheer on the night.
“I just want to say a huge thank you again to the entire community, from those who donated to those who donated goods and to those sending a text, it all counts,” she said.
“Many people have said the Penola and Coonawarra community is known to be extremely supportive and this is shown by the people coming to the actual dance and those contributing to the fundraising.
“What the community does for a small town is incredible.”
