Audiences at South Shields’ Customs House’s panto, Alice in Wonderland, have raised £9,731.06 for children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, by dropping their change—and often notes—into the collection buckets. Every year, the theatre, itself a charitable trust, raises funds for a chosen cause and this year’s total is the highest yet.
26,000 people saw the panto, which ran from 1 December 2015 to 9 January 2016.
Every day, ten children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. CLIC Sargent helps provide support to those children, teenagers, young adults and their families, helping them to get the most out of life while offering clinical, practical, financial and emotional support.
Dee Tyler, area fundraising manager for CLIC Sargent, said, “we are extremely thankful to The Customs House for choosing to support CLIC Sargent this year with the panto collections and want them, and the generous people who attended the shows, to know how much their help is appreciated.
“This wonderful total is enough to allow CLIC Sargent to support two and a half families through their treatment: emotionally, financially and medically.”
Customs House Executive director Ray Spencer, who also writes, directs and stars in the pantomime, said, “we are delighted to be handing so much over to CLIC. The work they do is just fantastic and we’re thrilled that the people who support our pantomime dug deep to support such a worthy cause—together we really can make a difference.”