The Illawarra's newest dance sensations have raised a record $267,000 to support people in the region who are living with cancer.
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The Cancer Council's Stars of Wollongong event, held at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday, saw 13 local personalities perform on stage alongside professional dance partners in a fun-spirited competition.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the stars perfected their dance routines while fundraising for the Cancer Council.
"The event overall was a huge success," Kelly Dinnerville, from the Cancer Council's southern region, said.
"After having to cancel the 2020 event due to COVID, we really weren't sure how we would go in 2021 but the community has just blown us away.
"The stars and teachers were so dedicated, and it really shows in the record-breaking final figure."
The last event in 2019 raised more than $130,000.
Dr Arunima Gupta from Wollongong Diagnostics won over the large crowd with her dance, performed with Vidya Kamachandran, and took out the People's Choice award.
Leah Mitchell's bridal-inspired performance saw her change outfit multiple times and won the florist Best Costume.
But it was firefighter Kylie Sharman who impressed the judges most on the night and won their award, with a hip hop routine performed alongside Samayah Khayat.
For Ms Sharman, the cause is especially close to her heart - her young son Quade is in remission from kidney cancer.
Real estate agent Travis Machan had raised the most of any star as of Saturday night, with a tally of more than $41,000, but has since been overtaken by Dr Gupta, who has more than $42,000 to her name.
The event was adjudicated by judges Natalie Gartshore and Jessica Kuit, who won the 2019 Judges Choice award, and actors Chloe Bayliss and Tina Bursill, who both star in the TV series Doctor Doctor.
It was the sixth year Stars of Wollongong had been held in the region.
The money raised will go towards support for Illawarra residents affected by cancer, as well as programs that aim to prevent and manage cancer in the future.
Organisers are now taking nominations for the 2022 event.
Those who want to get involved should contact Ms Dinnerville at Kelly.dinnerville@nswcc.org.au.
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