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Grand Order of Lady
Ratlings |
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The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings or GOLR is unquestionably one
of the most prestigious charity organisations within the world
of entertainment and to be invited to join The Order is one of
the greatest honours that be bestowed. Vicki is therefore both
proud to announce that she has been officially initiated as a
Baby Ratling into The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings in a ceremony
performed by Queen Ratling Babs Bruce, at Sessions House on the
14th of April.
The Lady Ratlings are closely linked to The Grand Order of Water
Rats founded in1889. The formation of The Lady Ratlings came
later in 1929 as a result of a celebratory banquet being held at
the GOWR club. The guest list included the wives, daughters and
other female family members of The Order and it was at this
event that the idea of creating a female section was first
suggested.
The growth of The GOLR was rapid, its first Queen Ratling,
Lilian Russell being crowned by King Rat Fred Russell on the 12th
July 1929.
The main aim of the Order is to raise funds for worthy causes
thus helping the sick, lonely and needy through its own charity
‘The Cup of Kindness’. The founder members formed the ‘Cup of
Kindness’ in 1931 with its current President being Barbara
Windsor M.B.E. Among those who have benefited to date are; The
willow Foundation, Chicken Shed Theatre Company, MS Therapy
Centre, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Action For Kids
and The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
Fundraising events take place throughout the year the details of
which can be found on The GOLR website.
Following her initiation, Vicki was welcomed into the sorority
by her colleagues along with new Baby Ratling Claire Lutter. No
stranger to charity work, Vicki is both honoured and delighted
by the initiation and is looking forward to “Getting involved”. |
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The Lady Taverners |
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Cricket is a great
British institution from which The Lord’s Taverners Charity was
formed in 1950. Very much a male fraternity one of its strictest
rules barred women from membership. This presented something of
a problem when Baroness Thatcher came to power as it had been
the tradition for every Prime Minister hitherto to be offered an
honorary membership to Lord’s Taverners. The solution was simple
and thus The Lady Taverners was founded in 1987 with the
Baroness being awarded the title of Honorary Lady Taverner No 1. |
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Vicki’s involvement with the charity was established over ten
years ago and she is currently the President of the Essex
Branch. Vicki is among many well known celebrity members from
the world of cricket and entertainment that together form a
vital faction of The Lord’s Taverners which has raised over £6
million for the cause. The main focus of The Lady Taverners is
to raise funds for specially adapted mini-buses and to help make
sport more accessible to young people who have social, physical
or learning disabilities. Fundraising events take place all over
the UK throughout the year and are many and varied. To date,
activities in which Vicki has participated have been as diverse
as entering into a 5 km run and judging a strawberry picking
contest in addition to making numerous presentations of
mini-buses, boats and sports equipment as well as attending a
vast array of glittering balls, dinners, fashion shows,
tournaments, quizzes and the like, all in the name of swelling
funds. |
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Essex Wives
Advisory Group |
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Vicki
is proud to announce that she has recently been adopted as a
Patron of The Essex Women’s Advisory Group, also known as EWAG.
The Chelmsford based charity has been set up to support and help
raise the profile of young girls and women in Essex over a
three-year project. Plans are well in hand for fundraising
events in order to inspire local women in business as well as
encourage high esteem and motivation. In so doing, the charity
also aims to raise the profile of the County itself. The
invitation for Vicki to become a Patron comes largely as a
result of her being asked to speak at the Essex Women’s and
Girl’s Appreciation Banquet in the magnificent surroundings of
Hylands House in 2009. Captivating her audience with a speech
recounting her life and career, Vicki joined other VIP guests in
an evening that incorporated a display of clothing and
accessories designed by local students, musical interludes by
Rebecca Huish and Caroline Hall, while businesswomen Michelle
Smith and Donna Smiles contributed to the ambience with floral
designs and decorations. |
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The
event, which was co hosted by The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord
Petre and the Chairman of Essex County Council, Mrs Elizabeth
Hart, was organized by EWAG raising a massive £19,000 for the
cause. Members of The Queen’s Guides and Essex female Police
Cadets were also on hand to help with proceedings all of which
was captured on camera by photographer Barbara White-Overton.
Since being founded, the charity has attracted a great deal of
media interest both in the press and on television with Vicki
excited by the positive reaction. One of her first roles as
Patron will be to attend a lunch given by Essex Life Magazine
and The Starr restaurant in Dunmow. The main planned event for
2010 is to take place over a whole day at Hylands Park on
Saturday the 10th of July. It will publicize ‘Essex
Girls’ past and present as Role Models, exhibit the businesses
owned or managed by Essex females. Promote their achievements in
the arts and highlight the attractions of the County. The day
will culminate with a fundraising evening event. For more
information click here. |
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Entertainment
Artistes' Benevolent Fund |
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Vicki is proud to announce that she
has recently been adopted to the Executive Committee of The
Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund, Patron – Her Majesty The
Queen. The role of the EABF as it is known is to care for people
from the world of entertainment who need help through ill
health, as a result of old age or hard times. Central to this
support is Brinsworth House in Middlesex, it being the Fund’s
dedicated nursing home, providing a haven of safety and
tranquillity while catering to every need ranging from regular
medical and therapy visits to pastoral care for all
denominations. Also paramount is the variety of in-house
entertainment for residents to enjoy. The history of the EABF
dates back to the early 1900s evolving over time. In 1912 His
Majesty King George V and Her Majesty Queen Mary, agreed to
attend a Royal Command Performance in aid of the Fund and thus
in 1921 The Royal Variety Performance became established as an
annual and main fund raising event for the charity. This
occasion is now firmly acknowledged by the world of showbusiness
as one of the industry’s greatest and most prestigious events.
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The Dream Factory |
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Vicki is
delighted to have become a Patron of the new charity The Dream
Factory, a role she accepted at the beginning of the year. The
Dream Factory has been set up fundraiser extraordinaire Avril
Mills and by so doing, has made her own dream a reality. Avril
was inspired by her young son Oliver who sadly died of leukaemia
at the age of nine. While Oliver, a huge Eastenders fan, was
having treatment in hospital, Avril arranged for him to meet
Ross Kemp, Martine McCutcheon and Sid Owen. Liking the idea she
went on to organize a wish for another patient who had always
wanted to meet the Arsenal football team. She subsequently went
on to become fundraiser and events manager for Haven House
Children’s Hospice before founding The Dream Factory. The aim of
The Dream Factory is to brighten the lives and encourage hope
for children and young adults with life threatening / limiting
conditions and or severe disabilities by way of granting wishes
or dreams. Dream Factory aspire to do everything within their
power to grant a child’s wish, which could be anything from
meeting their favourite star, footballer or sporting hero, take
a ride in a limo, enjoy a pamper day, own the latest games
console, laptop, i pod or mobile phone or take a magical trip to
Lapland to meet Santa Claus or Disneyland to meet Mickey Mouse
himself. No wish or dream is too big or small to be considered.
Joining Vicki as Patrons are actors Ray Winstone, Patsy Palmer
and Michelle Collins, Iain Duncan-Smith ( MP for Chingford),
Larry and Doreen Golding (Pearly King and Queen for The Old Kent
Road) and Dr Rory McCrea (GP and medical advisor to The Dream
Factory). |
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The official launch took place on 28th
February at the fashionable Bar 195 in Epping where Vicki and
fellow Patrons Ray Winstone and Doreen Golding joined forces
with local figures and dignitaries to start the fundraising ball
rolling. Invited guests took part in the money note game,
marvelled at the slight of hand of Steve Barsby and rocked with
mirth at the comic genius of host Mark Brewer while enjoying a
glass of champagne and canapés which were donated free of charge
during the important business of raising cash to grant the first
wishes which to date have included a tea party with Winnie the
Pooh and friends. Anyone wishing to support The Dream Factory by
giving time or money donations, should get in touch direct to
The Dream Factory on 0208 501 1234 or by emailing Avril Mills on
avril.mills@yourdreamfactory.org.
Forthcoming fundraising events include The Mayor of Redbridge
Annual Civic Reception and Dinner, Charity of the Year
Collections and Fundraising at The Mall - Ilford, A Caribbean
Summer Ball and Trek Jordan in which Avril Mills and friends
will trek across a Jordanian desert. For more information see
Avril's Webpage. |
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The Gordon Craig
Theatre |
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Built
as part of the Stevenage leisure complex, The Gordon Craig Theatre was
officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 3rd
November 1976. Over the next fourteen years, the theatre amassed a
strong and loyal audience following and in 1990 an independent club,
known then as The Gordon Craig Theatre Club was founded. The purpose of
the club was to provide support for the theatre in terms of financial
donations for projects such as the community spring and summer musicals
from membership subscriptions and also contribute towards fundraising
for certain items to benefit its customers. In return members were
offered substantial benefits in terms of ticket price reductions to
certain performances, first night parties with the stars, trips to West
End productions, a regular newsletter, backstage tours and various other
social events. The original membership of 213 quickly grew resulting in
the formation of a 12 strong committee to ensure the smooth running of
the club and in 1998 following her first professional engagement at the
theatre, Vicki was invited to become club patron.
‘The
invitation came as a great surprise,’ she explains. ‘I was both honoured
and delighted to accept.’ In 2007, with ever changing technology and
increasing workloads, the committee and members voted to hand over the
day to day running of the club to the theatre itself with Vicki
remaining as patron of the newly established Friends of the Gordon Craig
Theatre. ‘The committee did a wonderful job for 17 years particularly in
the last few months when they were working on much reduced numbers and
all voluntarily,’ Vicki continues. ‘In addition to everything else they
have done, the club has gained a great reputation among visiting
performers for their generous hospitality and welcome at the first night
parties. I have been immensely proud to act as club patron over the last
9 years under their regime and am equally excited to be carrying on
under the new.’ So far in her role as patron, Vicki has been called upon
to attend first night parties and club dinners as well as make
presentations and speeches at various events. ‘Due to work commitments I
can’t always get to as many first nights and events as I would like but
I really enjoy taking part whenever possible,’ she explains. ‘I
especially enjoy the first night parties. They are a great way for us as
performers to meet our audiences, get feedback and find out what people
want. To date, the club has also played a major role in encouraging new
members, therefore increasing audience numbers. This is vital to the
future of live theatre because let’s face it, without an audience, there
is no theatre. I have no doubt that the Friends under its new direction
will continue in a similar vein and look forward to the adventures that
the future holds’
Vicki's
first role under the new regime was to star in the latest of the
theatre's summer musicals Annie in which she returned to one of her
favourite roles, that of the tyrannical and drunken Miss Hannigan. 'I
was absolutely delighted to be asked to play Hannigan again,' says
Vicki. 'Especially here at the Gordon Craig. It was a wonderful
experience and one I shall never forget.' |
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Blackfish
Academy |
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Vicki is delighted to
announce that she has recently accepted an invitation to become Honorary
Patron of the Blackfish Academy, based at The Roundhouse Theatre, in
Dover, Kent.
Blackfish Academy was formed
in 2005 by Richard Esdale, professional actor and director, while working
in Ireland for BBC Television and during a national theatre tour. The
Academy is an evolution of an original company formation that took place
in 1998 known as Jig in the Box Productions. Blackfish provides
professional workshops in all aspects of performing arts including:-
acting techniques, physical theatre, contemporary dance, stage combat,
stagecraft, stage management, circus skills, set design and much more. It
is the intention of Blackfish to create a premier arts and entertainment
centre giving people of all ages within the Dover area an outlet for their
talents. Plans include facility expansion, creation of a strong employment
and entrepreneurship training programme and expansion of the community
theatre project. It was as a result of one such community production that
the link between Vicki and Richard Esdale was forged. They met in 2005
while working together in the musical Annie at the Marlowe Theatre,
Canterbury, produced by Kevin Wood. |
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The production was just one
of many in a series annually produced at the theatre to provide talented
youngsters and amateur performers with the opportunity of working
alongside high profile professionals. Says Vicki, “ I am thrilled and
delighted to have been asked to become a Patron of Blackfish Arts Academy.
I first met Richard, the Founder when we worked together in the musical
Annie for Kevin Wood last year. The production was a particularly happy
experience for me working with such talented youngsters and I was so
impressed by Richard’s own drive and enthusiasm that I had no
hesitation in accepting his request to
become a patron of the Academy. For me, it is so |
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important that our young
people are given every opportunity to nurture their creative
talents in all aspects of the business and the Blackfish Academy
not only provides that opportunity but helps to build confidence
and communication skills,
acting as a major stepping stone to prospective professional careers.
I feel this is so vital to the future of live theatre and as such, am
honoured to be involved in the project in this way. I wish everyone
concerned the very best of luck and look forward to watching developments
with eager anticipation.”
Performances in Jersey prevented Vicki from being present at the official
launch which took place on the 30th September 06 but she was
able to send a personal message of support which was read on her behalf.
Those attending included local County Councillors, MPs and community
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Blackfish Academy
is proud to announce the launch of their summer musical We Will
Rock You. Blackfish are one of the few companies who have been
granted permission to perform the musical outside the West End
and the show is due to open on Tuesday 3rd July
running to Saturday 9th July. Subject to finalising
work commitments, Vicki very much hopes to be in attendance on
the First Night. |
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Members of the Academy were given
a real boost recently when Vicki took time out of her hectic
schedule to spend a day with the youngsters. The day began with
a visit to BBC Radio Tunbridge Wells for an interview with
presenter Pat Sharp and several cast members of the Company’s
forthcoming summer musical Fame. Ion a lively interview, they
discussed the aims of the Academy together with details of the
production before Vicki talked about her involvement with the
group and how she became Patron. After the interviews Vicki
travelled to Dover and the home of Blackfish where she met other
members of the cast of Fame together with the production team
and was given a tour of the Roundhouse before watching a
rehearsal. It was Vicki’s first visit to the Academy which
naturally generated a good deal of excitement. |
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“They are a fabulous group of
people with an enormous amount of talent. I have had a wonderful
day” she said. “It’s fantastic what Richard and his colleagues
are doing here, it is first class. In reply, Founder Richard
Esdale said “We are very proud and honoured to have such a
wonderful actress as our Patron. She is great with young people
and her visit has given them great inspiration. Vicki has
supported our work at several levels and we were so pleased she
was able to visit us. Later in the year a group from the Academy
travelled to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford to see Vicki on
stage inn the role that made her famous, Yvette in Allo Allo.
Following the performance, there was an invitation for the young
people to visit Vicki in her dressing room and get a feel for a
working professional theatre. Needless to say everyone enjoyed
the day immensely. |
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Talent Time |
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Vicki first met and
worked with the highly talented choreographer and director
Stuart Glover while starring in the pantomime Robin Hood
at Worthing’s Connaught Theatre in the 2007/08 season.
During the course of the run, she discovered that Stuart
was also the Founder of Talent Time Theatre School and
Show Company. Talent Time are based in London and
Hertfordshire and run classes in music, dance and drama
for young people aged between 7 and 30. They also produce
regular showcases at The Bull Theatre, Arts Depot and
Wyllyotts Centre. Always keen to encourage young talent
and theatre at any level, Vicki went on to meet some of
the youngsters at the school and was extremely impressed
with the standards they are achieving. When Stuart asked
her to become Talent Time’s Patron, she was delighted to
accept.
Talent Time aims to give
its young performers the opportunity to work to the
highest level on professional stages and to develop their
skills as artists under the guidance of trained staff with
established careers in the business. To this end, as a
youth theatre company, Talent Time are regular guests at
top West End venues including Her Majesty’s Theatre,
Sadlers Wells and the London Palladium. They have also
appeared at Birmingham’s NEC and been filmed by the BBC,
LWT, Cable and C5. The company’s regular showcases have
included productions of the play Stepping Out, Diva, and
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In 2000 Talent Time
competed in the UK WATIME Championships of Performing
Arts, beating off stiff opposition to win the gold
standard in two sections. As a result, performers
travelled to Hollywood again winning both sections of the
competition for the UK in the World Championships. Talent
Time are now the official UK headquarters for the contest.
If all this were not enough, Talent Time run highly
successful workshops for both the youth theatre students
and primary school children and produce professional
cabaret performances. It will come as no surprise to learn
that many of the school’s students go on to work
professionally in the world of dance or attend full time
courses at drama colleges and academies. Says Vicki, “It
never ceases to amaze me how talented these children are.
They must be encouraged at every level. Not only do they
learn to develop their skills her but it’s also great for
building self confidence. I am thrilled to be Patron of
Talent Time.” |
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Paul Burton
Radio Project |
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Award winning Paul Burton is a writer, producer, director and
historian of high repute. His prolific work in television,
theatre, film and radio is well documented with an impressive
and extensive list of credits to his name. Among his many
ventures, Paul was the founder of a non profit making, hospital
radio project in Leicester and it was in connection with this
project that Vicki, at Paul’s invitation, was delighted to join the highly prestigious list of names as a Patron. |
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The purpose of the project was to record new radio dramas,
written, directed and produced by Paul. The specially made
recordings were then circulated to a number of hospital radio
stations in Leicester and London for broadcast. In addition to
benefiting patients and hospital staff, the project was designed
to help amateur actors by giving them the chance to gain
practical experience in radio drama and in many cases alongside
high profile professionals. Such was the enthusiasm for Paul’s
work that many of his celebrity patrons volunteered to
take part in his productions themselves. Says Vicki, “I
think Paul’s project was a wonderful idea and I am delighted to
have been one
of his patrons. |
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Days can really drag when you are in hospital and I think radio
is a great way to raise morale and distract from some of the
stress. It also served as a useful stepping stone for potential
performers as well helping bring the community together so
everyone was on a winner really.” |
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Among the plays of which
Paul was most proud were The Wedding starring Paul Daniels and
Brides to Be starring Vicki Michelle, Jeffrey Holland and Judy
Buxton. |
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Vicki travelled to
Quad studios in Leicester on Sunday 8th July to take
part in Paul’s latest radio play Brides to Be co starring
Jeffrey Holland of Hi de Hi fame and Judy Buxton from On the Up,
with Marilyn Ann Bird and Paul Burton himself completing the
cast. Simon (Jeffrey Holland) and Grace (Judy Buxton) live
together in near perfect harmony and are making plans for their
forthcoming wedding. As part of the preparations, Grace invites
best friend Julie (Vicki Michelle) and work colleague Emily
(Marilyn Ann Bird) over to their flat to help her choose the
perfect wedding dress aided by several glasses of a particularly
acceptable wine. Unfortunately, plans for a convivial girl’s
night in go drastically astray when Julie discovers the man her
best friend intends to marry is the same man who left her
standing at the alter two years earlier. How does Julie react
and what will it do to Grace’s future happiness if she finds
out. Also dragged into the tangled love triangle are Emily and
an innocent and bemused pizza delivery man (Paul Burton). The
play is written, produced and directed by Paul Burton and is
currently being edited for transmission on hospital radio later
this autumn. |
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Haven House
Hospice |
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Throughout her
career, Vicki has worked tirelessly for numerous charities
many of which are for children and in recent years, none more
so than Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford. It is
perhaps not surprising therefore that she has been invited to
join the esteemed list of patrons at the hospice, an
invitation she was both honoured and delighted to accept.
Haven House was founded by Susan Irwin who recognised the need
for such a centre while working s a health visitor in
Dagenham. |
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A
foundation was set up in 1995 to develop the project and the
hospice welcomed its first respite guest in 2003. Haven House
provides a range of services for families who have a child
diagnosed with life threatening and terminal illnesses ranging
from cancer to metabolic disorders, neurological,
cardiovascular and repertory problems or a combination of
these. Care and support is extended to all family members and
continues for as long as is needed at the end of a child’s
life. As with many similar charities, Haven House is almost
entirely dependant on donations from individuals, local
businesses and the tireless fundraising events organised
throughout each and every year. Not surprisingly the Patrons
play a major part in these events by attending balls, social
events, raising money through celebrity auctions and the
various fetes that take place at regular intervals. Vicki
first became involved with Haven House some years ago when her
young nephew became a visitor to the hospice.
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Tragically he died suddenly two
years ago at the age of thirteen but Vicki has continued to
support the charity at every given opportunity including last
year collaborating with her sisters and celebrity medium Mark
Brandist, to produce a special evening of Love, Light and
Laughter in memory of the young boy. All proceeds were donated
to his favourite charities including the centre. Other patrons
of the hospice include, Ian Duncan Smith, Ray Winstone, Patsy
Palmer and Glen Murphy. For more information or to make a
donation, please go to
www.havenhousehospice.org
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Hopes and Dreams |
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Founded in April
1993 Hopes and Dreams is one of the UK’s best known charities.
Its aims are simple, to fulfil the wishes of children and young
people with disabilities and terminal illnesses. The charity
also promotes and furthers the care, relief, treatment and
convalescence of these children across England, Wales and
Scotland. Vicki has been a Patron of Hopes and Dreams since the
early days along with Linda Robson, Belinda Carlisle, Max
Bygraves, Gary Mabbutt and Professor Judith M. Chessel. She is
regularly involved with fundraising events whether it be a high
profile celebrity dinner or a more active hands on approach. She
recently took part in a fashion show modelling clothes at the
Menzies Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Bridge. The event helped
to raise over £7000 fofr the charity. “Children’s charities have
always been close to my heart,” says Vicki. “I had no hesitation
in becoming a Patron of Hopes and Dreams, it is so rewarding
helping to make their wishes come true.” |
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