AN ENTREPRENEUR whose new business supports talented, unsigned musical artists, has launched her first campaign.

Leonie Hallam, 49, from Waverton, has set up Aardvarker.com with debut singles being released by Justin Gregson and Alex Wright who are otherwise known as The 9ines.

Aardvarker is the realisation of Leonie’s dream to champion a range of talented but little known musical artists of all genres while also supporting her chosen charities by donating a proportion of the profits.

Leonie used to work as operations manager for Chester-based luxury travel business ITC Sports which saw her meeting former sports stars who were guest hosts on celebrity tours.

Among them was cricketer Alan Lamb who became a friend and has offered his support to Leonie’s latest venture along with the likes of Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton and ITV’s Philip Schofield.

The overall concept of Aardvarker is a play on the word ‘hard worker’. Despite the company’s philosophy to have fun, its fundamental aim is to work and play hard. “We are ‘Aardvarking for you and for our charities!’’ says Leonie.

Leonie hopes coverage of the singles Walk Tall and Be Free by regional stations like BBC Radio Merseyside will catch the attention of the national stations.

At least 15p from every digital download will be donated to LAM Action supporting women with a rare disorder – which mainly affects the lungs – and The National Autistic Society.

Autism is particularly close to Leonie’s heart because her son Luke, 12, a pupil of Christleton High School, has Asperger's syndrome which is an autism disorder characterised by difficulties in social interaction. She also has a daughter Charlotte, six, who attends Waverton Primary School.

For more details about the business, visit: www.aardvarker.com