Bucket collections at The Assembly Hall Theatre raise more than £5500

Well done!

Generous theatre patrons at this year’s Assembly Hall Theatre pantomime donated over £5500. The theatre’s annual collection raised a staggering £5636.17 for the theatre’s chosen charity Hospice in the Weald. Bucket collections were held at the end of each performance during the three week run.

Hospice in the Weald strives to ensure that the community it serves throughout West Kent and East Sussex has access to compassionate, individualised, holistic and supportive care for all patients with a terminal illness, their families, and carers. The money raised by those who generously donated their spare change at the end of each performance could pay for pre or post bereavements counselling sessions for 20 patients or family members who are seeking additional support, for however long they need it.

Martin Dodd, director at UK productions, said: ‘I am delighted that not only did we have a record breaking pantomime season for Cinderella with thousands of happy audience members, but the fact that we managed to raise so much money for such a worthy cause through the generosity of those audiences is just the icing on the cake.’

Beth Swarbrigg, fundraising director for Hospice in the Weald, said: ‘We are delighted that this year’s panto, Cinderella, has raised such an incredible amount of money for Hospice in the Weald. The money raised through the bucket collections would be enough to fund our Hospice in the Home service for an entire day, who currently support over 725 patients. All staff and volunteers at Hospice in the Weald are thankful for the Assembly Hall Theatre’s continued support of the Hospice for the past 17 years.’

Cheri Strudwick, marketing and development manager, said: ‘The Assembly Hall Theatre has strong links with the local communities in which it operates and enjoys a long standing relationship with Hospice in the Weald, in particular, having been a supporter for over 17 years. The more people get behind pantomime collections, the more children and adults Hospice in the Weald can go on to support.’

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