The Everyman Theatre in Chelenham has raised £15,000 for the Kambia District Foundation which will go towards creating a safe and nurturing environment for the children of Sierra Leone.
The theatre hosted a star-studded affair during its Saturday Night's Variety Night to raise funds, featuring an incredible line-up of performers who generously donated their talents to the fundraising effort, while audiences were treated to an unforgettable evening of entertainment, including music, magic and comedy.
The evening was inspired by the remarkable efforts of a member of The Everyman Theatre’s Community Choir, Jen David and her husband, Simon, who took on the task of building a primary school for the children of Masama Village in just 12 weeks back in 2015.
Not
only was this the first school in the village for over 100 years but most
importantly, around 80 per cent of the primary age children in the area are now receiving
free education, with figures previously suggesting it had been around 13 per cent. It now offers
free education to over 500 children from the surrounding area.
With the money raised, the couple now plan to use the £15,000
towards constructing a much-needed nursery to support early childhood education
in the region.
The standout moment from the fundraiser was the harmonious voices of the
children from Prestbury St Mary’s School, joined virtually by the children of
the primary school of Masama where the nursery will be built, for a choral performance.
Mark Goucher, CEO of the Everyman Theatre said: 'The whole team at the Everyman Theatre are overjoyed that the Everyman Choirs, along with a whole host of talented performers came together to perform, entertain and in doing so made a difference to the children’s lives in Sierra Leone.
'The £15,000 will make a huge impact and work
can now commence on the next phase of support for the children in Masama
Village.'
