About 350 people attended the gala event at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Saturday evening.

Cancer Council’s community engagement manager Stephanie Lake said events, such as Stars of Nowra, were vital to support local cancer patients and their families.

“Cancer Council is 95 per cent funded by the community, which means without events like Stars of Nowra, and donations from the community we cannot deliver the work that we do,” she said.

“In the Shoalhaven, we partner with the Local Health District and have a full time Cancer Council staff member based at the accommodation facility at the Cancer Care Centre.

“This enables us to provide the right support to cancer patients and their carers when they need it most, whether that be accommodation, financial assistance, legal and financial advice, support from trained oncology nurses or transport.”

This financial year alone their volunteer transport drivers have driven 31,451 kilometres, driving cancer patients to treatment and other medical appointments.

Ms Lake said the aim was to raise $50,000, however that figure was well and truly exceeded.

“We currently have just over $65,000 and we expect more funds to trickle in over the coming weeks,” she said.

“This tremendous effort would not have been possible without the efforts of all of our stars who have worked tirelessly rehearsing their dance routine and fundraising; our dancers who donate their time and choreograph dance routines, guiding them through the whole journey and our events sponsors and everyone who helped in the lead up to the event, and of course our wonderful supporters who donated."

Richard Neradil won the coveted award for highest fundraiser, raising more than $10,000 in donations.

“I am so stoked that I was able to raise that amount of money and I’m overwhelmed at the generosity of the people and businesses who got behind this cause,” Mr Neradil said.

“I’m extremely grateful to everyone who donated, but in particular Hotondo Homes, Craig Murphy, Tim Campbell, and Matt and Jodi Triffett from Crossfit Jervis Bay.”

Award winners