News
Southland stars and experienced dancers are set to rock this October as the hugely successful fundraiser “Rocking with the Stars” is back!
Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital are the chosen charity at this year’s Rocking with the Stars to be held on Saturday 29 th October at ILT Stadium Southland, which is also raising funds for the Invercargill Rock ‘n’ Roll Club.
The event gives 10 Southland celebrities an experienced rock ‘n’ roll partner and three months to learn to dance, and their hard work and dedication comes together as they don their blue suede shoes for one night of serious rock ‘n’ roll fun.
The 10 Southland Stars are; CTOS Chair Trish Boyle, Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie, Lawyer Doreen Evans, Real Estate Agent Gus Johnston, The Hits Breakfast Host James McRobie, Cyclist Kara Roderick-Wandless, Riverton Police Officer Kelvin Templeton, Environment Southland Chair Ali Timms, Ascot Park Hotel Manager Bryan Townley, and Entertainer and Radio Personality Craig Waddell.
A professional dancer who has appeared on TV will be one of four judges scoring the celebrities’ fancy footwork and will also be performing on the night.
Rocking with the Stars Event Manger, Melanie Luke says the committee has been working extremely hard to ensure this year’s event is big and better than ever.
“The Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital is an amazing asset and it has already touched the lives of many people in our community. “The event is proud to partner with Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital this year.”
Just like the Invercargill Rock ‘n’ Roll Club, local community is at the heart of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital, says CEO Matthew Mark. “We feel privileged to be chosen as the charity of choice at this year’s Rocking with the Stars, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to supporting our facilities in Southland Hospital.”
Built in 2013, the Ronald McDonald Family Room is an extension of the Hospital that is directly connected to the Children’s and Neo Natal wards.
When families walk in, they forget they’re in a hospital – this is a place to rest and regroup just moments away from their children, says Matthew.
“The need for our services in Southland is growing with the Family Room often operating at full capacity, and we could not do what we do without such fantastic and generous community support. “Rocking with the Stars will help families concentrate on what really matters – helping their children heal.”
Any family who has a child up to and including the age of 21 who has been admitted to Southland Hospital’s Children’s or Neo Natal wards can use the Family Room’s communal facilities, and there are also four overnight bedrooms which are allocated to families on a daily needs basis.
The previous two events have raised $45,000 and with a bigger audience capacity for 2016 the committee is hoping for a lot of community support.
Rocking with the Stars tickets go on sale on Saturday 6 th August at ILT Stadium Southland and www.ticketdirect.co.nz – $30 for adults and $20 for students and children. Keep up to date with the
event by rocking over to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/rockingwiththestars.