Night at the theatre raises cash for bereavement charity

Business guests enjoyed a night at the theatre and raised £155 for Jeremiah’s Journey, a Plymouth-based charity supporting grieving children.

Guests from across the business sector were invited to experience the corporate entertainment facilities at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal and A Comedy of Errors by The Propeller Theatre Company, on May 8.

The event was jointly hosted by Cornish energy broker, Total Energy Solutions, and Plymouth chartered accountants, Bishop Fleming.

The evening included a private reception, VIP seats for the performance, a chance to sample the theatre’s mouth-watering mini morsel menu and a charity raffle.

A pair of tickets to see the West End musical ‘Wicked’ at the Theatre Royal next January/February was donated by Total Energy Solutions. Also up for grabs were tickets for a choice of mid-week performances, donated by the Theatre Royal.

Guest Mervyn Orchard, of Bluestone 360, won the ‘Wicked’ tickets and immediately donated them to Jeremiah’s Journey to be auctioned at their fundraising ball in October.

Speaking at the event, Joanne Anning, CEO of Jeremiah’s Journey, said each year the charity supported 220 children and their families who have either lost a relative, or are facing loss through terminal illness.

She said: “We create activities to help children express their feelings and grief and share memories of a lost one. We saw 220 children last year the majority of which have lost a parent through very traumatic circumstances.”

It costs the charity £200,000 a year just to stay afloat - all of which comes from charitable donations.

“We really do rely on people like you to keep going, we really do have to come out and sing for our supper,” Joanne added.

Alastair Carnegie, managing director of Total Energy Solutions, said: “Having been through the programme with Jo and Jeremiah’s Journey, I know first hand how they can put broken families back together. It is a fantastic charity and one we are proud to support. The aim of the event was to showcase the fantastic corporate facilities of our wonderful Theatre here in Plymouth and we’re delighted it also gave us the opportunity to support Jeremiah’s Journey.”

Guests who attended the event represented local businesses including Plymouth Science Park, Gill Akaster, Una Group, Nash & Co, Drakes Jewellers, Bluestone 360, Western Morning News, and hosts Bishop Fleming and Total Energy Solutions.