Panto magic sprinkled in East Surrey Hospital's children's ward (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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Panto magic sprinkled in East Surrey Hospital's children's ward
12:34pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News
Some colourful characters took a sprinkling of panto magic to youngsters in the children's ward at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.
Cast members from GAPS Can You Feel It’s show, Little Red Riding Hood, went to visit children in the ward on a special mission.
Jack and Jill and several cast members were there to highlight the production, from which the group will donate all profits to the children’s ward.
Michael Wilson, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the East Surrey Hospital, and the children’s ward matron, Joanne Farrell, took the cast members on a tour of the hospital, to give out flyers for the show, which is already selling out fast. The cast also presented the matron with 12 tickets to the opening night for some of the children who regularly stay on the children’s ward. Mr Wilson and several members of hospital staff will also be attending the opening night to lend a hand front-of-house.
Mr Wilson said he was delighted GAPS Can You Feel It had chosen the hospital to benefit from the show.
He said: “It’s a great way for the community to support its local hospital - and have fun at the same time.”
GAPS Can You Feel It treasurer Shaun Stallard said the group raises money for local organisations, and this year the money raised from each ticket sold will go towards decorating the play room on the children’s ward, and buying play equipment for the children.
He said: “We’re even hoping to build a stage area in the play room, where the children who feel well enough can put on their own show every now and then.”
Little Red Riding Hood will run at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, with evening and matinee performances, from Thursday, February 7, to Sunday, February 10.
Tickets, with a buy-five-get-the-cheapest-free special offer, are available from the box office on 01293 553636, or from the theatre's website at: www.hawth.co.uk
