The Charity Dreamgirls concert featuring Heather Small has raised at least £1,500 for charity with more money coming in.
The show which had the M People singer as star billing was held at Huddersfield Town Hall as a fundraiser for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
The Charity Dreamgirls are a group of volunteers who have raised awareness for charities over the last seven years.
This year, the group brought their annual concert to Kirklees for the first time and gained the support of 30 local businesses to create the event.
Also on the bill were Jaz Ellington from The Voice, dance diva Angie Brown, The Risk from the X Factor, the Hot Gospel Choir as well as Melanie Masson – the new patron for the organisation.
It meant a “homecoming” both for organiser Kate Hardcastle and for Risk singer Ashford Campbell.
The night also raised awareness for the Positive Image campaign – inspiring confidence in young people. As part of their activities, 22 pupils together from Kirklees College and The Brooksbank School gathered to sing a resounding rendition of Stand Tall – the Positive Image anthem.
Heather Small was so moved by the choir and the story of Positive Image that she pledged her time to spend with students with confidence issues next year.
She joins names such as Melanie C, Victoria Pendleton, Carol Smillie and Hilary Devey who have all pledged time to Positive Image.
Founder of The Charity Dreamgirls and Positive Image, Kate Hardcastle, said: “The instant feedback society we live in makes it even easier to know that we are achieving our objectives with instant awareness for Forget Me Not and Positive Image from the event on social media and through websites.”
Romaine Maret from The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice said: “The event gave us the brilliant opportunity to fundraise but more importantly to share our story with a much larger audience, increasing the awareness of our activities in the local area.
“The evening itself was amazing, the performances were fantastic and the overall event was enjoyed by all.”
Local businesses including House of Fraser, O2 Dewsbury and the Mid Chamber Commerce were sponsors along with Foxy Bingo and Insight with Passion. Sponsorship in kind ranged from the sandwich making skills of accounting firm Sleigh and Story – feeding 70 performers and 40 volunteers – and the pyrotechnic specialists Ignite.
