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Diversity scoop ‘Inspirational Young Talent’ award at The Co-operative Variety Club Showbiz Awards

Dance troupe Diversity were awarded the inaugural Co-operative ‘Inspirational Young Talent’ Award at Sunday night’s Variety Club Showbiz Awards in London.

Following thousands of your votes on this site, the 11-piece dance group beat off stiff competition from boy band JLS, previous X Factor hopeful Diana Vickers and Dr Who’s Matt Smith to secure the trophy.

Diversity were presented their award live on stage by our Managing Director of Food Retail, Tim Hurrell, and Pineapple Dance Studio’s Louis Spence.

Find out more about the awards, Diversity's incredible achievement and journey, spurred on by their motto ‘Dream. Believe. Achieve’.

Ricky Gervais has a heart for The Variety Club Children’s Charity

Comedian Ricky Gervais has added his support to the Variety Club Gold Hearts Appeal, which raises money for sick, disabled, and disadvantaged children across the UK. Gold Heart badges are on sale in our stores all over the country.

Showing that he has a heart of gold, Ricky gave his backing to the appeal by modelling the charity’s t-shirt which encourages people to ‘have a heart, help a child’.

The Variety Club Gold Hearts badges have featured a different design every year and are a popular collector’s item – and this t-shirt could become a collector’s item too.

Ricky said: "The Variety Club is a fantastic charity which every year helps thousands of children and young people every year, who may be sick, have mobility problems, are disabled or come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Every Gold Heart badge bought from The Co-operative will make a real difference to someone's life. Just three badges will pay for an unforgettable day out for a young person, so I'm encouraging people to go out and buy them."

Alesha Dixon lights up London

Alesha Dixon lit up the London skyline by unveiling a 53m-high projection on Battersea Power Station to launch the 2010 Variety Club Gold Hearts Appeal.

With help from some of the children benefitting from the charity’s fantastic work, Alesha switched on the projection at the iconic London location to reveal her exclusive design for this year’s badge.

The Variety Club Gold Hearts are the original charity badge. Established in 1991, the badges have featured a different design every year and are a popular collectors’ item. This year’s design features the classic gold finish and Alesha’s signature.

Alesha Dixon said on the night: “I’m honoured to be fronting the 2010 Gold Hearts appeal. The Variety Club is a fantastic charity which every year helps thousands of children and young people. The projection is a great way to tell people about the campaign, although it is a bit overwhelming seeing your own image projected onto such a large building!

It is a bit overwhelming seeing your own image projected onto such a large building!

“Every badge bought from The Co-operative will make a real difference to someone’s life. Just three badges will pay for an unforgettable day out for a young person, so I’m encouraging everyone to go out and buy them.”

Paul Lawrence, Chief Barker of The Variety Club, added: “Together we will make a huge difference to so many children, young people and their families. The Gold Hearts Appeal will have a major impact on communities UK-wide.

“All the money raised will help to provide essential services and support. Whether it is funding a new wheelchair or a bathroom hoist, a youth programme or a Sunshine coach, we believe all children and young people should be helped on their road to independence.”

Video transcript – Alesha Dixon lights up London