Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Winter is always a particularly difficult time of the year for the most vulnerable in our community, and perhaps more so this year as we negotiate COVID-19. Mental health support has never been more important. The Examiner's Winter Relief Appeal is an important annual fundraising drive in my community raising money to assist our community, and I have spoken previously in this place of the great work done by SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY in the area of mental health and suicide prevention. Both causes received a tremendous boost in recent weeks, with an event that also created some great community spirit and fun. An accomplished local dancer and dance teacher of 30 years, Andrew Palmer teamed up with Launceston Deputy Mayor and event director extraordinaire Danny Gibson to bring us Cha Cha for Charity. Andrew was joined by family and friends and a cast of cameo dancers including politicians, sportspeople and local identities such as stepdaughter and Dancing with the Stars champion Lily Cornish, as well as by dance colleagues across the world who joined online. The dance marathon saw Andrew perform the cha-cha non-stop for 24 hours. The event was live streamed on social media and the community really got behind the challenge. Even after fainting in the early hours of the morning and a visit from paramedics, Andrew persevered, and the event has raised over $42,000 for these great causes. Congratulations and well done to Andrew, Danny and all involved with this great achievement.