SHE’S already a successful businesswoman and charity fundraiser.

Now Huddersfield woman Kate Hardcastle has been named Tesco Mum of the Year.

Kate, 36, who has a young daughter, Nya, will be presented with her award during a star-studded ceremony at London’s Savoy in March.

The award comes in recognition of her tireless fundraising efforts.

In 2006, Kate decided to celebrate her 30th birthday by organising and performing in a one-off charity concert with a Motown theme.

Kate decided to write to a number of stars to see if she could enlist any support. Smokey Robinson sent a video message and Martha Reeves agreed to fly from the USA to perform.

The concert was a sell-out and Kate decided to set up an organisation to run similar events to raise awareness for smaller charities that couldn’t do it themselves. The organisation, set up in 2007, was called Charity Dreamgirls.

Kate said: “I decided to create Charity Dreamgirls as a way to bring people together to be able to do something to help raise awareness of smaller charities.

“There are 180,000 charities in the UK – all competing for the public’s attention and money.

“If you are a smaller charity, how do you get yourself heard? I knew I could bring my skills from the corporate world to support these lesser-known charities and create fun events people would want to get involved with.”

Kate went on to host a number of concerts, supported by huge celebrity names including Alexander O’Neal, Jacki Graham and Candi Staton.

To date, Charity Dreamgirls has organised more than 50 events to help 11 charities around the UK, including the RSPCA, Leonard Cheshire Disability and The Stroke Association. This year, it is raising funds for the Willow Foundation, the Retail Trust and Overgate Hospice at Elland.

Kate also runs business transformation specialist Insight With Passion, which also supports charitable work – with staff devoting 20% of their time, energy and resources to projects close to their heart.

Kate has also taken inspiration from Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, saying: “When I was young, I wrote to Anita Roddick and eventually got the opportunity to meet her.

“I was so inspired by the way she managed to combine business with making a real difference to the lives of others.

“This is what I’m hoping to do with my company and projects.

“I haven’t been able to help of hundreds of thousands of people all over the world like Anita – but don’t put it past me because I might just yet!”

Kate’s next campaign – supported by Charity Dreamgirls – is called Positive Image.

Having being bullied herself, Kate set up the campaign to inspire confidence and positive body image in young people and to tackle issues such as obesity, anorexia, self-harm, suicide and bullying.

Kate’s passion and hard work touched the hearts of the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards judging panel, including TV presenter Emma Forbes, athlete Denise Lewis, Britmums founder Suzanna Scott and Tesco magazine editor Helen Johnston.

Kate was nominated by the Insight With Passion team – and her story was chosen from thousands of nominations from around the UK.

Kate said: “I am over the moon. I’ve worked so hard to become a successful businesswoman, to get a voice and to put that voice to good use.

“Charity work has always been at the heart of what I do and I’m so honoured to be recognised for that. You’ve got to help other people because one day, you might be the person that needs help.”

Tesco director Paul Morris said: “We are extremely proud to be holding the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards for the eighth year.

“It is a privilege to be able to recognise the achievements of someone like Kate, who has worked incredibly hard to create her own business, yet has always ensured that helping those less fortunate remains a huge part of this.”