SOUTHEND THEATRES HELPS QDOS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP RAISE MORE THAN
£1 MILLION FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL CHARITY
£1 MILLION FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL CHARITY
Southend Theatres are delighted to announce that they have helped raise in excess of £1 million for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – helping to fund a suite of operating theatres at the hospital which are due to open at the end of this year.
Southend Theatres and Qdos Entertainment Group has enjoyed a partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital since 2010 when the charity became Qdos’ nominated partner charity as part of the Theatres for Theatres appeal. The group has been fundraising continuously via its subsidiary companies Qdos Pantomimes and HQ Theatres (of which Southend Theatres is a part) with the total amount raised now in excess of £1m.
The money will go towards the hospital’s state-of-the-art brand-new operating theatres in their new clinical building, designed to treat children with complex medical needs Funds have been generated in a number of ways – through collections at Qdos’ annual pantomimes around the UK and at charitable events organised by theatres in the HQ portfolio. Individual staff members across the group have also played a huge role by taking part in marathons, bike-rides, mud races, skydives, bake-sales and through a host of other fundraising initiatives. During the past 12 months alone, the money raised topped £160,000.
Southend Theatres and Qdos Entertainment Group has enjoyed a partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital since 2010 when the charity became Qdos’ nominated partner charity as part of the Theatres for Theatres appeal. The group has been fundraising continuously via its subsidiary companies Qdos Pantomimes and HQ Theatres (of which Southend Theatres is a part) with the total amount raised now in excess of £1m.
The money will go towards the hospital’s state-of-the-art brand-new operating theatres in their new clinical building, designed to treat children with complex medical needs Funds have been generated in a number of ways – through collections at Qdos’ annual pantomimes around the UK and at charitable events organised by theatres in the HQ portfolio. Individual staff members across the group have also played a huge role by taking part in marathons, bike-rides, mud races, skydives, bake-sales and through a host of other fundraising initiatives. During the past 12 months alone, the money raised topped £160,000.
Nick Thomas, Chairman and founder of Qdos Entertainment Group said: “I’m enormously proud of the efforts of every single person who has done their bit in helping us to reach this fantastic milestone. Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is a cause close to my heart and I remain humbled by the fabulous work that they do at the hospital and the phenomenal spirit and dedication of their staff.
The combined generosity of literally thousands of people – from the simple act of throwing loose change in to a bucket right through to jumping out of a plane - has helped us to reach this landmark total. My heartfelt thanks go to those who have contributed - and to our staff across the group whose commitment to the cause over a number of years has been superb. We’re not finished yet! We’re re-affirming our commitment to the hospital and plan to continue raising money for them through 2017 and beyond.”
Referring to the efforts at Southend Theatres, Theatre Director Ellen McPhillips said: “We are delighted to have played our part with staff participating in, amongst other things, parachute jumps, half marathons, sponsored walks and an ongoing ‘bake-off’ every week selling their cakes to other members of staff.
Our audiences have also been incredibly generous whenever we have held a bucket collection helping to swell the donations by a considerable amount.”
Having now concluded the Theatres for Theatres appeal, the next phase of fundraising will see contributions going towards an IMRI (Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging) suite at the hospital. This vital facility will enable neurosurgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital to conduct scans mid-operation for the first time, without taking the child away from the operating table. It will transform brain surgery by giving surgeons real time data to ensure they can deliver the best outcome for each patient as well as limiting the need for further surgery.
The combined generosity of literally thousands of people – from the simple act of throwing loose change in to a bucket right through to jumping out of a plane - has helped us to reach this landmark total. My heartfelt thanks go to those who have contributed - and to our staff across the group whose commitment to the cause over a number of years has been superb. We’re not finished yet! We’re re-affirming our commitment to the hospital and plan to continue raising money for them through 2017 and beyond.”
Referring to the efforts at Southend Theatres, Theatre Director Ellen McPhillips said: “We are delighted to have played our part with staff participating in, amongst other things, parachute jumps, half marathons, sponsored walks and an ongoing ‘bake-off’ every week selling their cakes to other members of staff.
Our audiences have also been incredibly generous whenever we have held a bucket collection helping to swell the donations by a considerable amount.”
Having now concluded the Theatres for Theatres appeal, the next phase of fundraising will see contributions going towards an IMRI (Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging) suite at the hospital. This vital facility will enable neurosurgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital to conduct scans mid-operation for the first time, without taking the child away from the operating table. It will transform brain surgery by giving surgeons real time data to ensure they can deliver the best outcome for each patient as well as limiting the need for further surgery.