Similar to the television show Dancing With the Stars. the money raised will go toward Cancer Council research and help in funding a new patient transport service for Armidale

Cancer Council community engagement coordinator Paul Hobson said he was overwhelmed by the number of stars willing to put on their dancing shoes and get out there.

“We’re on schedule with everything, dancing lessons have been going on regularly now for the last three or four weeks – everyone seems to be in the swing of things,” he said.

“The different stars have been introduced to their partners and they’ve been working hard at their routines.

“I am so overwhelmed that this brilliant group have actually said yes, to leave their comfort zones and shake their booties in front of a big crowd,”

The dancers are being taught by experienced choreographers Jenny Wild from the Armidale Dance Group, and Melissa Killen from Little Fish Entertainment, a former winner of the Stars of Armidale.

Ms Wild will also be hitting the dance floor this year, for the third time, as a contestant.

“It’s such an exciting event to present to the Armidale community and certainly puts the fun into fundraising,” she said.

This year the judges will include Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, New England Focus Magazine representatives and people from Armidale Can Assist.

The judges will pick a winner, but attendants will be given the opportunity to pick their favourite star on the night.

Stars will also compete for highest fundraiser award, planning their own events to raise funds.

Cancer Council community engagement coordinator Paul Hobson said that under the tutelage of Jenny Wild and Melissa Killen and some independent tutors, the dancers couldn’t go wrong.

For people that have never been to an event like this before, Mr Hobson said to expect a lot of fun.

“They can expect the dancing to be very individual, everyone is doing different dances at different levels,” he said.

“We’ve got thirteen different styles of dancing so they can expect a lot of variety.

“The focus is really on having a lot of fun, we’ll have awards at the end of the night in a few different categories to make sure that everyone is involved.”

The Stars of Armidale Dance for Cancer fundraiser is on September 16 at the Armidale Services Club.

Tickets are $70, and can be purchased from July 31.