Preston mum-of-three hosting celebrity charity chat-athon to help struggling entrepreneurs and victims of domestic abuse

She has survived homelessness, domestic abuse and life on the breadline to become both a professional singer and international speaker who has worked with celebrities.
Prestonmum-of-threeDani Wallace is hosting star-studded chat-athon The Big Festoon to help victims of domestic abuse.Prestonmum-of-threeDani Wallace is hosting star-studded chat-athon The Big Festoon to help victims of domestic abuse.
Prestonmum-of-threeDani Wallace is hosting star-studded chat-athon The Big Festoon to help victims of domestic abuse.

Now a Preston mum-of-three, who grew up on Larches and Savick council estate, is hosting a candid chat-athon called The Big Festoon, which will run from 8am to 8pm on Friday, June 5, and feature 12 celebrities and 12 entrepreneurs.

The star-studded event has been organised by coach Dani Wallace to raise money for domestic violence charities while also supporting small business owners whose livelihoods are being threatened by the pandemic.

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The 36-year-old will invite her guests to talk openly on her online TV programme, Show Up, Wise Up, Rise Up, via Facebook, about how they are thriving in lock-down - and the inspiring fund-raiser is even being backed by one of Dani's idols, soul singing sensation Macy Gray.

Dani said: “This situation has been tough on us all so let’s hit some truth bombs and not sugar coat it as the Mary Poppins Insta feed of lock-down life can leave us all feeling like failures - so let’s be real, be raw, but also be ready to lift each other up, as we CAN learn from this, and rise up - we can choose to #FlyAnyway."

The Big Festoon is packed full of real talk, motivational pow wows, business inspo, power ballads and awesome DJ sets, as celebrity guests and business leaders come together to lift the spirits of the nation’s entrepreneurs.

The primary charity being supported is Women’s Aid, which provides life-saving services to victims of domestic violence. Funds will also be donated to Mankind Initiative, supporting male victims of domestic abuse, as well as Galop, an LGBT+ anti-violence charity.

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It is a cause close to Dani's heart, as she was saved from domestic violence and homelessness by local DV services after being almost strangled while four-months pregnant.

“Reports of domestic abuse and violence across genders has risen by an insane 700% since the beginning of lock-down," she said.

"We NEED to help.

"Now is the time where those of us in a position to do so must do our bit - to inspire, motivate and uplift each other but also to support those more vulnerable than ourselves.

"I am no big shot, but I am keen to use my loyal audience to make a difference here and am calling on others who are passionate about using their voice for good to join me.

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"But let’s keep it real - we’re all struggling in varying degrees and I crave a bit of honesty right now. So alongside raising shed loads of cash for incredible charities, let’s connect, communicate and collaborate on a very real level to remember we are all human amongst all this madness.”

Faye Connelly, fund-raising manager at Women’s Aid, said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dani and all celebrities and entrepreneurs involved in this exciting event.

"In recent months, we have all witnessed the spread and impact of coronavirus and the threat that it poses to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Many women will now be isolated at home with an abuser, with little safety and no way to access face-to-face support.

"Every penny you raise will make a huge difference to our work responding to this crisis and reaching more women who need our support.”

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The event's full line-up is to be announced this week but already involved are TV presenter Jenny Powell, Atomic Kitten singer and health entrepreneur Natasha Hamilton and Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin, as well as national motivational business speaker, Brad Burton.

From neuroscience to natural medicine, mindset to marketing, with some exclusive entertainment thrown in, the show will blend business with pleasure as all guests lift the lid on how they are dealing with isolation, throwing a good dose of reality into the mix, and challenging the social media pressure of the insta perfect lives.

The show will run from 8am to 8pm via https://www.facebook.com/thequeenbeedani/.

Anyone interested in supporting the event can contact Dani via Instagram - @thequeenbeedani - [email protected]