The Chelmsford Theatre Workshop and Essex Mark Masons
support 2 local Charities
Report by W.Bro. Rob Whitfield
As a member of Chelmsford Theatre Workshop, my partner and I were asked to direct The Vicar of Dibley for a 2 week run. My partner had previously directed two shows of Black Adder and raised £1,000’s in total over the two runs she did so it was suggested that we do the same for The Vicar of Dibley.
The performing rights of the show are donated directly to Comic Relief at £75 a show so we knew there was a reasonable sum going to charity but we decided that we wanted to support a local charity.
The cast were asked for their suggestions and we then did a poll. Two charities were chosen and they were Sanctus and AA Dog rescue.
Sanctus is a shelter in Chelmsford that primarily provides food for the homeless. They also provide support and advise. They provide up to 150 meals a day and rely on donations from companies and individuals. They have a monthly budget of £900 and work on £1 a meal using donations. They are based in Broomfield Road Chelmsford. With it being the winter this service is even more vital.
The AA Dog rescue was chosen as a couple of members of the cast including ourselves have dogs we have adopted through them. They are a very small charity based in Latchingdon and as such don’t get the high profile of larger charities. The funds raised were to go on vet fees.
Initially we were going to do a collection on the last 2 Saturdays of the run but we decided to start it a couple of days into the run. So we did collections from the public on 7 performances.
We were hoping to collect around £100.00 a performance but this was far exceeded beyond our expectations.
Toni from Sanctus came down on the last night of the run and I introduced her to the audience where she then explained what the charity did. The Mayor of Chelmsford was also at the show and she had previously supported Sanctus and knew of their work.
I announced at the end of show party what was raised by donations from the public and that £150.00 had been pledged by Essex Mark Masons.
We collected from public donations £1469.00 so I made it up to a round figure of £1500. This was divided equally between the two charities.
With the additional £150.00 donated by Essex Mark Masons the total for Sanctus was £900.00 which as you can see represents a months budget for the charity.
The performing rights of the show are donated directly to Comic Relief at £75 a show so we knew there was a reasonable sum going to charity but we decided that we wanted to support a local charity.
The cast were asked for their suggestions and we then did a poll. Two charities were chosen and they were Sanctus and AA Dog rescue.
Sanctus is a shelter in Chelmsford that primarily provides food for the homeless. They also provide support and advise. They provide up to 150 meals a day and rely on donations from companies and individuals. They have a monthly budget of £900 and work on £1 a meal using donations. They are based in Broomfield Road Chelmsford. With it being the winter this service is even more vital.
The AA Dog rescue was chosen as a couple of members of the cast including ourselves have dogs we have adopted through them. They are a very small charity based in Latchingdon and as such don’t get the high profile of larger charities. The funds raised were to go on vet fees.
Initially we were going to do a collection on the last 2 Saturdays of the run but we decided to start it a couple of days into the run. So we did collections from the public on 7 performances.
We were hoping to collect around £100.00 a performance but this was far exceeded beyond our expectations.
Toni from Sanctus came down on the last night of the run and I introduced her to the audience where she then explained what the charity did. The Mayor of Chelmsford was also at the show and she had previously supported Sanctus and knew of their work.
I announced at the end of show party what was raised by donations from the public and that £150.00 had been pledged by Essex Mark Masons.
We collected from public donations £1469.00 so I made it up to a round figure of £1500. This was divided equally between the two charities.
With the additional £150.00 donated by Essex Mark Masons the total for Sanctus was £900.00 which as you can see represents a months budget for the charity.
Letter of Thanks from Sanctus
Good afternoon
I am writing to you on behalf of Sanctus to say how incredibly grateful we are for your recent donation of £150.00
Sanctus is the only day centre in a significant part of Essex, providing food, warmth, companionship and support services. The cost-of-living crisis and associated recessionary conditions has impacted our funds and also increased our operating costs. At the same time it has also meant the number of people attending Sanctus and requiring help has significantly increased. Your donation will help us be able to continue to support so many homeless and vulnerable people.
The purpose of our organisation is to provide a centre in the heart of the city where individuals, with various complex needs, can come and receive food and support. This is a community space, which we invite other key service providers to utilise, to generate an integrated approach to supporting individuals. We do not try and overlap or repeat services, merely integrate them to provide a highly successful holistic provision.
We believe that everyone should have a safe and secure home, food on the table and a network of support. Our aim is to be there for vulnerable people in a moment of crisis and provide them with the necessary help. From that moment, we then work alongside then in their journey to help them to take steps to lead a positive life.
Donations such as yours enable that to happen, we are truly grateful for your generosity and support.
Kind regards
Martine
Hub Assistant
I am writing to you on behalf of Sanctus to say how incredibly grateful we are for your recent donation of £150.00
Sanctus is the only day centre in a significant part of Essex, providing food, warmth, companionship and support services. The cost-of-living crisis and associated recessionary conditions has impacted our funds and also increased our operating costs. At the same time it has also meant the number of people attending Sanctus and requiring help has significantly increased. Your donation will help us be able to continue to support so many homeless and vulnerable people.
The purpose of our organisation is to provide a centre in the heart of the city where individuals, with various complex needs, can come and receive food and support. This is a community space, which we invite other key service providers to utilise, to generate an integrated approach to supporting individuals. We do not try and overlap or repeat services, merely integrate them to provide a highly successful holistic provision.
We believe that everyone should have a safe and secure home, food on the table and a network of support. Our aim is to be there for vulnerable people in a moment of crisis and provide them with the necessary help. From that moment, we then work alongside then in their journey to help them to take steps to lead a positive life.
Donations such as yours enable that to happen, we are truly grateful for your generosity and support.
Kind regards
Martine
Hub Assistant
Posted 20/12/23
