Local stars kick up their heels for charity

SALLY Clarke will swap her hairdressing scissors for dancing shoes when she takes to the stage at Ballina RSL to raise funds for the NSW Cancer Council.

Ms Clarke, the owner of Headroom Hair salons, is one of eight local personalities training with dance teachers to take part in the NSW Cancer Council fundraising event, Stars of Ballina Shire 2024 – Dance for Cancer.

She has been hairdressing for 34 years and was increasingly hearing more of her clients were cancer survivors or had lost someone to cancer, so she jumped at the chance to help.

“I just love that the community is pulling together to help people that are suffering,” Ms Clarke said.

While she’s a little nervous – she was 10 when she last graced a dance stage – Ms Clarke said had a great dance teacher and was looking forward to the night.

“We are going to have an absolute ball. We’re going to really burn up the dance floor,” she said.

Her teacher Suzy Gerada owns the dance company Suzy Heels, and has been a teacher for 15 years.

Ms Gerada said her student had been picking up the dance moves quickly, and they were having a lot of fun together.

“I feel like we’ll give the audience something entertaining,” Ms Gerada said. “We’re very excited to see how it all comes alive.”

Tara Koellner, Cancer Council NSW – Northern Communities Community Fundraising Coordinator, said tickets had sold quickly and the event was well-supported by the business community.

“For first ever event, it’s kicking some serious goals,” Ms Koellner said.

“I’m overwhelmed by the community support towards this event. The eight stars and dance teachers have been so incredible to work with and have been so dedicated to raising funds for our charity.”.

She said the dancers had each exceeded their $3,000 fundraising goal, on average raising $8,000 each.

Ms Koellner said with one-in-two Australians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, the money raised from this event will go towards Cancer Council NSW and their world-class cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy, and support services to help those affected by cancer at every point in their journey.

In Ballina, that includes helping patients with transport to appointments and to get treatment.

Headroom Hair, Collins Hume Accountants and Curves Gym Ballina, are the Gold sponsors of the event.

Stars of Ballina Shire – Dance for Cancer will be held on November 22 at the Ballina RSL Club. Head to stars.cancercouncil.com.au/event/stars-of-ballina/home