Cancer is a disease which touches the lives of countless Australians each year.
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Australian Community Media's Tim Shinnick will be Bega's lone representative in this year's Bega Valley Stars Dance for Cancer, which just happens to combine two subjects he's extremely passionate about.
The former state ballroom dancing champion has lost two close friends to the disease in just the last 12 months.
"One friend was only a couple of years older than me with two kids," Mr Shinnick said.
"He had no idea he had bowel cancer. He was visiting Australia on a business trip from the Philippines and went to hospital with stomach pains. He thought he had appendicitis, but within 24 hours he was dead."
Along with his partner Julie Walker, Mr Shinnick is hoping to raise as much money as he can during the Cancer Council's August 31 event at Merimbula's Club Sapphire.
"Julie is a hoot, she's a lot of fun," he said.
"She's done a lot of community work and has an absolute passion for dancing."
Mr Shinnick danced competitively from the age of 10 to 18 after being introduced to ballroom dancing by an older friend. At the age of 17 he was crowned state champion.
He said dance helped build his self-confidence and "kept him out of trouble".
"Strictly Ballroom had just come out, but it was still the time when if kids found out you were dancing they'd hold it against you," he said.
"For the fundraiser I'm doing a totally different style, so it feels like I've got two left feet."
The duo have been rehearsing twice a week, and Mr Shinnick said he's excited to be taking part in the fundraiser for the first time.
"When this came up I thought I should be able to raise money and make a bit of a fool of myself at the same time," he said with a laugh.
For more information or to purchase tickets and support the event visit everydayhero.com.au/event/starsofbegavalley2019.