A fundraising gala is to be held in aid of Sarah Brigham, artistic director of Derby Theatre, who is suffering from a rare form of cancer.
She has a tumour over two inches long in her trachea. Only two in a million people have this type of cancer. The best option is carbon ion therapy which is not funded by the NHS.
Wellwishers who call themselves Team Brig-Aid are trying to raise £60,000 to send her to Germany for the treatment. They have already raised more than £50,000.
The gala will be held on Sunday 27 May. There will be music from Derbyshire folk singers John Tams who wrote the music for War Horse and Barry Coope.
Two actors who appeared in Mike Kenny’s adaptation of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan at Derby Theatre in 2017, Esme Sears who was Tinkerbell and Jack Quarton who played canine nursemaid Nana, will give musical performances.
There will also be songs from Emily-May Stephenson, a young Derbyshire actress who appeared in Brassed Off at Derby Theatre in 2015 and has appeared in the title role of Matilda in the West End. Derbyshire theatre company Maison Foo will also take to the stage.
Brigham said, “I can’t begin to put into words the overwhelming amount of support I’ve received from my family, friends, colleagues, artists, actors, businesses, directors, venues and hundreds of people from across the UK.
“I will never forget this spirit of generosity and kindness, and I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. As part of this campaign, I really hope we can also provide inspiration and hope to other people suffering and dealing with this dreadful disease.”