In 2007 the Charity Dreamgirls were conceptualised by Founder & Chairwoman Kate Hardcastle, a driven individual with personal reasons to make a difference within her community, Kate decided to celebrate the charities which had supported her family through difficult times.
Hard work and graft to organise a ‘Blues Brothers’ style concert lacked results – with no press interest and the public seemingly disinterested – Kate took it into her own hands to create a ‘stand out’ concert that would spread the word of her selected Charity Partners.
After writing to 700 household names, Kate convinced Martha Reeves to fly exclusively to Halifax from Detroit – it was then that Kate knew she had discovered a creative solution to the challenges faced by smaller, lesser known charities in the North.
The first Soul and Motown Revue took place at Halifax Victoria Theatre and united 3 best friends – Kate Hardcastle, Hannah Cygan-Wrobleski and Lisa Roberts to perform alongside Martha. Supporting Breast Cancer Care, Next Step Trust and the Halifax Stroke Club – the theatre was at maximum capacity and the event raised a phenomenal £4,500.
It then emerged that individuals who attended the concert jumped at the chance to volunteer.
The Charity Dreamgirls grew in strength and numbers overnight
This was an organisation that would last.