Last weekend it was the event that everyone was talking about, Dream Street's first ever Inspirational Women Awards.
The event taken place at The Ark, Alvechurch in Birmingham on Saturday 23rd November and featured a wide variety of Award Categories including; Inspirational Mum, Inspirational Business Woman & Inspirational Award of Bravery.
“The most
beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known
suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the
depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding
of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.”
·
Being a single mum at the age of 23 can often be
hard work but then losing your mum, Best friend and being diagnosed with a life
threatening illness is enough to turn anyone’s life upside down, However not
for this lady..
On March 26th
2012 Tracy was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and was lucky enough to beat the
illness and have all the cancer removed through surgery, She was left with a
huge scar and unable to have any more children yet continues day in day out to
share her story and encourage young women to have cervical cancer screenings
from the age of 25. Tracy uses all her enthusiasm and love for the world to
continue to make a difference to other people’s lives and fundraise for
charities close to her heart,
This is lady is
not only extremely appreciated for everything she does for other people, for
sharing her story and fundraising for charity but she is also Dream Street’s
Inspirational Women 2013.
Michelle Williams has raised 9 children
single-handily for 22 years and works nights as a residential carer. Michelle is not only appreciated as a mum but
also appreciated by many of those residents who she looks after and often
receives thank you cards and flowers to show her how much she is appreciated.
As
well as being as working and being a mum at home, she also finds the time to
take her children to football training twice a week and to a match once a week
as well as driving her other daughter to photo shoots or beauty pageants
whenever she is needed, Her other daughter attends singing practice and music
lessons, another daughter attends school athletics club and my younger brother
goes to Spanish classes.. You get the idea of the busy household!
Michelle not only spends most of her time looking after
people but also spends a lot of time raising money for the PDSA and Sunnyside
Dog Kennels as these are charities very close to her heart, Michelle arranged
and took part in a 6 mile walk dressed as dogs and raised over £300 for
Sunnyside & recently donated £1,000 to Macmillan as this was a wish of my
grandmothers before she passed away. That is also something that was very
difficult for my mum as she was very close to her. Losing her mum also meant
that she had to deal with her children’s grief over losing their Nan but to
also try and find time for herself to grieve as well.
Michelle always thinks about other people and never puts
herself first; she is always there for her children, her friends and to find
time to fund-raise for charity. We would like to congratulate Michelle Williams
on becoming Inspirational Mum of the year.
When her mum was diagnosed with Arthritis this meant that Nadia would
be faced too with this soul diminishing condition, Nadia was nominated by her
father for not the large amount of goodwill she has shown but for the little
things she does on a day to day basis out the kindness of her heart, like
helping her mum out of bed, helping her get dressed or around the house. Often cleaning up the house or making meals
if her mum is unwell at just 13 years old.
Anyone
who suffers from arthritis or looks after someone who does will be able to
understand the daily struggle which many suffers are faced on a day to day
basis, & often carers cannot be thanked enough for all the small things that
they do, We would like to congratulate Nadia on becoming the Inspirational
Young Person of the year.
The Winner of
the next award works extremely hard in her day to day life in order to reach
her dreams, Not only for herself but reaching out for other people too.
She is a very hard working mum with two young children and wanted
to start a business that would combine being a great mum with her passion for
music. Working very hard she has built
up her business from a few hours a week to gaining degree, teaching diploma and
business finance and management qualifications to now seeing over 40 students a
week all within a short time of 5 years .
She
has gone beyond her role on numerous occasions including community workshops
and a fundraising concert in aid of Arthritis UK.
A
quote from her students:
'My
confidence was not good before & my tutor really helped me to be able to
believe I can get up & show everyone what a voice I have.
Congratulations
Maxine on becoming ‘Inspirational Tutor of the year 2013
Freya Felton was diagnosed with Hereditary Pancreatitis when
she was just 2 years old and is now facing multiple conditions because of the
severity her illness has caused, Ever since she was little she has undergone
major surgery and theatre trips to help her get better.
In the last 6 years Freya was granted a Wendy House by local
charity ‘Promise Dreams’ and since this day freya has understood the importance
of other childrens happiness and has started fundraising for the charity to
help other children have their wishes granted.
Freya has now helped raise £15,0000 for Promise Dreams and
almost £1,000 in making bracelets with one of the Dream Street Girls, Sasha.
No matter what Freya is going through at just 8 years old
she always remains strong not only for herself but for her family too.
We would like to congratulate Freya on winning the
Inspirational Award of Bravery.
The Dream Street Group would like to thank everyone for their kind donations and we were happy to present a cheque to Arthrtis Research for £707 for this event, Meaning we reached our £4,000 Target!
Images by Mantis Photography - www.mantisphoto.co.uk
