Are they as light on their feet?

Boxing coach Paul Hampton and surgeon Ros Pochin are both experts with their hands, but the question is, are they as good on their feet?

The pair are among a number of local identities who have signed up to the Dancing For A Cause event to raise funds for the Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Other contestants include Nelson mayor Rachel Reese, restauranteur Matt Bouterey, businessman Pic Picot, osteopath Richard Carruthers, Nelson city councillor Matt Lawrey and former Labour candidate Rachel Boyack, who will each spend a few minutes in the spot- light.

‘‘Unlike the real Dancing with the Stars where I think they practice for five hours a day, we are still doing our day jobs and trying to fit in an hour each week,’’ Pochin said.

The contestants have been matched with professional dancers and told what style of dance they will be performing.

Pochin is learning the samba and said the biggest challenge so far had been getting used to dancing in thin, high-heel shoes which she wasn’t used to wearing.

‘‘Apparently I am now dancing on the balls of my feet which is good, but it’s because I don’t trust the heels so I am basically tip-toeing around.’’

Hampton said he’d also had ‘‘a few wobbles’’ while practising in his dance shoes that had a Cuban heel.

‘‘I am doing the jive which is really fast, so halfway through I get buggered. I need to actually train for it.’’

Pochin said she was happy to make a fool of herself for the cause.

‘‘It’s not meant to be a comedy show but it will be entertaining.

‘‘This is a really good cause, we have all known people who have gone through the hospice, both professionally and personally.’’

Dancing For A Cause, Trafalgar Centre, May 26 at 7pm. Tickets from TicketDirect, for tables contact Richard at dancingforacause@dancenelson.com