Dancing Diary: Less than two weeks to go

David Beck and Natasha Whitewood's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars billboard. Photo/Supplied

As the old saying goes; time flies when you've never danced in your life but have to learn before you do it in front of thousands of people. Or something like that.

All of a sudden there are less than two weeks to go until Harcourts Dancing with the Stars. On Saturday, July 28 we will be on stage putting everything we have learned into practice.

For the majority of the process I have been surprised at how well I have handled the nerves. I half expected to be a mess by this point. However, on Friday we received the run sheet for the night and had our first dress rehearsal - panic started setting in.

I'm a big believer that, in sport, some nerves are a good sign. It means you care about what you are doing and I think it's the same for dancing. I'd be worried if I wasn't a little bit nervous.

In saying that, I am confident that once we get on the stage Tash and I, along with all the other dancers, will have a blast and put on a good show. Watching all the other dancers during dress rehearsal was good fun, it's amazing how far everyone has come.

The celebrity judges for the event were announced recently - Olympian Dame Valerie Adams, Tamati Coffey, Suzanne Paul and d'Artagnan Kennedy.

Obviously, as a sports reporter, I'm most excited about Adams, arguably one of New Zealand's most successful athletes. Although, she comes across as someone who does not mince her words, so hopefully we can do enough to earn positive feedback.

More important than any of the above is the fact that Harcourts Dancing with the Stars is Rotorua Hospice's major fundraiser for the year. In the past two years, with the help of the community, it has raised more than $250,000 to support the ongoing palliative care work of the Rotorua Hospice.

The fundraising target for this year is $150,000 and there are still general admission tickets available, so get in quick. They are $35 each from ticketmaster.co.nz and include terraced seating, access to food and beverages and a one night only show which is sure to entertain.

The difference you're making when you buy a ticket
- Rotorua Hospice cares for 420 patients each year.
- It cared for 300 new referrals last year.
- Around 45 per cent of the patients are non-cancer diagnosis.
- Rotorua Hospice makes more than 11,000 visits each year.
- More than 80 per cent of patients are cared for in their own homes.