On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, the Post reported...

A DRESSMAKER who dedicates her spare time to helping a kids dance group has been recognised for all her hard work.

Marie Brown, 49, was selected as the winner of Asda Clydebank’s local hero competition after being nominated by her daughter Claire.

The Faifley woman was given the honour of officially opening the branch’s new look store, which now has a mezzanine floor, featuring new sections and a lot more choice for customers.

Marie helps out at Claire M Brown Cheer and Dance Squad every Saturday.

Claire takes care of the dancing and singing, but Marie does all the administration and makes the children’s costumes.

Marie told the Post: “I didn’t know anything about it. The girl from Asda phoned me and said I’d been nominated for the local hero awards and I’d been chosen — I was quite shocked.

“When I got there they’d put up balloons and they gave me a lovely gift basket with vouchers and everything.

“I saw a lot of people I knew but didn’t think anything of it. Then the kids walked round the corner and I just felt the tears coming into my eyes.

“They sang Hero by Mariah Carey to me which was absolutely lovely.”

Marie has arranged for the girls to perform in lots of different places including local nursing homes.

Marie added: “Last year they sang Christmas songs but this year we’re going to be doing war time songs by people like Vera Lynn.

“Edinbarnet tried to give us a donation last year but I told them to spend it on the residents.

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“It was lovely — the kids were holding the old people’s hands and saying things like ‘that could be my gran’.

“We try to teach them to have respect for everyone around them.”

Claire does not charge much for her dance classes and if Marie did not chip in for free — in between making wedding dresses and teaching dressmaking — they would not be able to keep going.

Marie said: “I deal with the insurance and all the legal stuff as well as making the costumes.

“That’s why we can make the class so cheap.

“When my girls were younger I was always having to pay out for costumes but that’s because the teacher was having to pay someone to make them for her.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal what I do because I’ve always done it and I love it.

“I’m very embarrassed about the whole thing but I’m equally pleased.

“It’s nice to get some recognition.”