2011, what a year! The Charity Dreamgirls have celebrated their 5^th birthday in style, with the Awareness Week in the past, it’s only now I can look back at our activities and understand the true achievements this small group of Yorkshire volunteers have created.

What better way to kick off a year of working with 3 fantastic charities; the Retail Trust, Overgate Hospice and Willow Foundation than by taking to the stage at the Trafford Centre – the first of 2 concerts at the venue that has asked the Dreamgirls to come back bi-annually due to popular demand.

In October 2010, the Dreamgirls took to the stage with Lucie Jones, a fantastic X-Factor competitor who has now forged herself a career in the West End and is a model in her own right. Many a teenager screamed that weekend, and with 10,000 shoppers passing the stage an hour – a perfect awareness raising event.

Our first performance of 2011 saw us go back to our roots and take to the cold streets of Halifax – for a live (and rather soggy) performance at the Woolshops in March. Our hearts warmed at the generosity of the general public that day – the cups of tea helped to keep the heat in too!

A new event got our hearts pumping on the 16^th July – our 3 hour Zumbathon saw ladies of all ages (and fitness levels – I for one needed a break or two) raise awareness and funds for our Charity Partners. Sticking to our new fitness regime we had a team of fantastic runners who took on the challenge of 3 runs in 3 counties – and were a phenomenal success!

Our second Trafford Centre trip saw us work with our first legendary celebrities for 2011 – Mike and the Mechanics and was testament to what the rest of 2011 held for us – in particular our biggest challenge to date, The Charity Dreamgirls Awareness Week.

Yes, the Awareness Week, 5 events in one week, for 5 years culminating in our 5^th concert with 5 legendary celebrities! Yes, we were busy!

The Committee