Returning to the scene of the crime

Don Pratt set to pay it forward with his turn at Swinging with the Stars

The last time Don Pratt danced at The Barn it was also for charity. He was part of the amateur dance crew that performed The Full Monty, raising tens of thousands of dollars for mental health services and projects in the Limestone Coast.

So it is hardly surprising he has been happy to say ‘yes’ to the request for him to try his hand at dancing at The Barn again – this time fully clothed for all of his performances as part of the swinging with the Stars 2023 cast.

“Honestly, I didn’t know how to say ‘no’ but it really does fit into what I have always tried to do – giving back to the community – where people need help you give it,” Don said.

Don has firsthand experience of the value of the Stand Like Stone Foundation with the charity having provided assistance to Spare Ya Change 4 Kids – the in-school meal service Don has had a hand in since its inception, providing ready made meals for schools enrolled in the program for students and their families.

In keeping with that philosophy of helping young people, in particular, Don has aligned his fundraising with the Focis on Youth Sub Fund, which provides grants to projects with educational outcomes with a focus on youth in the region.

“It is just a perfect fit for me so as soon as I saw that fund on the list I knew that was where I wanted my fundraising to go,” Don said.

“… we have already discussed going to two sessions a week – we have already worked out I need to step it up…” Don Pratt

Don never claimed to have any dancing skills as he prepared for the 2020 Full Monty performance and he has not added to those skills in the interim.

“I will certainly give you a laugh and have a bit of fun and hopefully I learn how to dance at the end,” he said.

Don is paired with Mikaela Johnston, in only her second time tripping the light fantastic for this first time last year with long time friend Kyra Sykes.

“We have already discussed going to two sessions a week – we have already worked out I need to step it up,” Don said.

Given Don is cooking up a storm for Spare ya Change 4 Kids, keeping a close eye on his Mount Gambier coffee business Confession and working through setting up a Confession outlet in Adelaide, where he will do much of the construction and painting work, he had to plan fundraising concepts that would take care of themselves and some local businesses have helped him put together just such a fundraiser.

Ten businesses have offered $500 vouchers to put together a winnertakes-all $5000 shopping spree raffle with tickets $20 apiece which will be drawn on Saturday, May 6.

Birdie Blue, Hue Colour, Green Door Decor, Canopy Interiors, Lima & Co, Redgum Country, Spot On Fishing Tackle Mount Gambier, Intersport Mount Gambier, The Spot for Surf, and DJ Interiors are the participating businesses and Don already has some businesses lined up for a second shopping spree raffle.

There are posters around town with the QR code to access tickets, as well as a QR code on each Confession take away cup, as well as tickets available in store.

BACK TO THE BARN: (Above) Don Pratt front and centre at the 2020 Full Monty mental health fundraiser & (bottom) Don Pratt at Confession getting ready to servce customers