Sale is boost for mayor’s charities
A TABLETOP sale at Castlefields Community Centre in Runcorn raised £150 for the Halton mayor Alan Lowe’s charities.
The groups to receive the cash are Halton Speak Out and Halton Entertainment Arts Regional Theatre School (Hearts)
Halton Speak Out was founded in 2001.
It supports residents with learning disabilities by offering services such as self-advocacy and work and training opportunities.
The group’s mission statement is ‘ the right to have a life’, reflecting its aim to fight for families and carers to civil rights and life aspirations and to help those with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential.
Hearts is a non-profit theatre group which was launched in January 2000 by Saint Basil and All Saints churches.
What began as a bid to raise cash for a remembrance garden in Upton, Widnes, turned out to be an indemand resource to divert young peo- ● ple from becoming caught up in antisocial behaviour.
Some young people have progressed to careers in the industry by becoming actors, dancers and dance teachers.
One talented students is now a theatre manager in Lancaster.
Others have triumphed in dance competitions at the Liverpool Empire and Echo Arena, performed for a European audience on stage at Disneyland Paris and also at Alton Towers ‘Scarefest’.
Hearts has taken groups to see West End productions and backstage theatre tours in London. They currently perform annually in the Clatterbridge fundraiser One Small Step and for the Halton mayor’s fundraising group at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn each year.
A Halton Borough Council spokesman said the Hearts annual family pantomime at Upton Community Centre in Widnes has sold out to audiences for the past 17 years.
Hearts is funded by grants and donations from businesses.