EIGHTIES pop sensation Katrina Leskanich is one of the artists appearing at concert set up by local charity, The Dreamgirls.

Katrina, who rose to fame with the band Katrina and the Waves, is topping the bill at The Five Years of Magic show, tomorrow night.

The Dreamgirls has raised thousands of pounds over the past five years for causes such as the Stroke Association, Help for Heroes, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Retail Trust and The Willow Foundation Overgate Hospice.

The organisation was set up by Huddersfield-born businesswoman Kate Hardcastle, helped by friends Kate Peters and Jenny Smith.

The Dreamgirls now has 50 volunteers and a 10-strong committee.

And while it helps other people, the organisation has also helped its volunteers cope with life’s challenges.

Kate said: “Dreamgirls has helped volunteers deal with divorce, unemployment, mental illness and other changes that can have a massive effect on your life.

“The enthusiasm the team portrays at events is infectious and encourages many more people to get involved with the organisation and the supported charities.

“It generates an ‘if you can do it, I can do it’ attitude.

“A lot of them said they had wanted to volunteer for years but needed the flexibility to fit it around their existing commitments.

“Being involved in the Dreamgirls gives them a focus and everyone is given real jobs with responsibility.

“By doing good for volunteers we are doing good for the charities we support.”

Back in 2006 Kate set out to stage a one-off concert for 100 people and put pen to paper to gain celebrity support.

Kate said: “I knew my letters had to be handwritten for people to take notice, so I wrote 700 letters while on planes and in between meetings but with a week to go I hadn’t had any good replies.

“But then I got a letter from Smokey Robinson’s manager saying how could he help. I couldn’t believe my letter had encouraged this legend to help us and we recorded video messages from other celebrities and that formula worked.” Not content with an annual show-stopper, a series of five events are being hosted this week alone.

Budding models strutted their stuff at The Venue in Halifax before a red carpet vintage affair at the Cotton Factory in Huddersfield, which screened Breakfast At Tiffany’s on Wednesday night.

Last night a TV inspired Never Mind the Buzzcocks hit Huddersfield as teams of four went head-to-head on their music trivia at The Cotton Factory at 7.30pm.

But saving the best till last, the Five Years of Magic concert, is the most challenging ensemble for the Dreamgirls to date.

Kate added: “Terry Christian from Nineties TV show The Word has agreed to compare the evening, which is fantastic as we needed someone who really cares about the music and understands it.

“We have also got more than 10 messages of support from celebrities which will help in this truly unique event.”

Other stars jetting in include Ricky Valance, Chip Hawkes and Angie Brown.

The Five Years of Magic event will be held at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax tomorrow.

For tickets call 0845 465 0280.