Ten local identities are preparing to cha-cha, tango and jive their way across the Cessnock Leagues Club stage as part of Hunter Prelude's major fundraiser for 2021.
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Dancing with the Local Stars will be held on Saturday, August 14, with a ticketed dress rehearsal the day before.
The event will raise funds for Hunter Prelude, a not-for-profit organisation which provides early intervention services to children with disabilities and special needs in the Lower and Upper Hunter communities.
The dancers include firefighters, community service workers and members of the Hunter Prelude team.
A trio of Fire and Rescue NSW Kurri Kurri firefighters are on board: Wayne Redfern will team up with Sue Schilock to dance a waltz; Jason Teuma and Hunter Prelude's Reagan Kloepfer will dance the jive and Nick Wyborn and his partner Jessica Winchester will dance the tango.
Cessnock Family Support Service manager Robyn Beveridge and Bill Armstrong from Kurri Kurri Community Services will dance the cha-cha, and Hunter Prelude's Belinda Quinn and her son Jacob Donkin will dance a quick-step "with a '70s twist".
Most of the stars haven't danced on stage before, but they're all excited to come on board and support such a good cause.
Established 40 years ago, Hunter Prelude has centres in Kurri Kurri, Maitland and Singleton, and provides capacity-building support services to over 400 children aged 0-12 years and their families while supporting preschools, child care centres and primary schools.
Proceeds raised at the event will help Hunter Prelude connect children with early childhood intervention teachers, speech pathologists and occupational therapists in a range of programs, including its Play Strong playgroups held each week at Kurri Kurri and Singleton.
"We know there are many children with disability that need support to access early intervention," Hunter Prelude general manager Kimberly Lewis said.
"We also know there are so many children and families in our local community that connect to services like Hunter Prelude often not knowing where to go and who to ask for help.
"The proceeds raised will help us connect with these families, local preschools and build inclusive support networks in our local community."
Ms Lewis said the fundraiser was inspired by a regional preschool event, and is a great opportunity to bring the Cessnock/Hunter Valley community together.
"We have been very excited to be able to connect with local businesses and have volunteers from the region support Hunter Prelude," she said.
"We also love the idea that after such a challenging and often isolating last 12 months we are able to host an event that offers people the opportunity to get out in the community, meet new people and reconnect all for a good cause!"
The dress rehearsal will be held on Friday, August 13 at 10.30am, with tickets $15 including morning tea.
The gala dinner will be held on Saturday, August 14 from 6.30pm. Tickets are $100 including a three-course dinner and the show, hosted by Monty King and Lauren Hensby, with entertainment by Tara Naysmith.
All tickets are available at www.stickytickets.com.au/B6WR7.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Reagan on 0409 641 757 or email reagan.k@hunterprelude.org.au for more information.