Platform 51

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Categories: woman of the week
Friday, 16 December 2011
Woman of the week - Alexandra Burke

Using fame to make a difference to vulnerable women

Successful pop-star Alexandra Burke is our woman of the week. After winning the X-factor in 2008 she has proven to be a huge hit: over a million copies of her first single 'Halleluja' were sold in 2 weeks - something never before achieved by a female British solo artist. On many occasions she has stated that she wants to use her fame to make a difference in the world. And she has - she's taken part in several projects that have been very close to her heart.

Alexandra started singing at a very early age - she entered several singing competitions and made herself very popular among certain prominent vocalists who were very impressed with her talent. Following her GCSEs Burke persevered with her musical ability and it was at about this time that she began singing with 'Young Voices' - an organisation providing assistance to minority groups.

Since her fame, Alexandra has continued to take an interest in those less fortunate than herself. She has taken part in an 80km hike through South America for Breast Cancer Care, and more recently has gotten involved in a comic relief-funded project in Uganda. This involved working closely with MIFUMI, a domestic violence project that provides support, education and health services to over 20,000 women. Alexandra's involvement with MIFUMI followed her brave revelation that she was once a victim of physical abuse.

Platform 51 admires Alexandra Burke's participation in projects such as these - particularly when the projects promote independence, as MIFUMI does, helping women to support themselves rather than having to rely on a violent partner.