Theatre hits target to buy defibrillator

WELLS Little Theatre has successfully met its fundraising target for a new defibrillator to be installed on the outside of the theatre building.

The committee launched their campaign several months ago, looking to raise £1,500 for the device and casing, and set up a fundraising sub-committee to generate ideas.

Wells Little Theatre said at the time that as a pillar of the local community, it would love the opportunity to install a defibrillator in the theatre, but as a charity itself it needed help to raise the funds for one. It pointed out that it holds four major events a year, with an average of five performances per event; if all of these events sold out, it would see nearly 3,500 people pass through the doors.

Thanks to the generous donations from the local community, it has now reached the target and can order the device and install it as soon as possible.

Tom Creswick, left, with Ryan Hughes of Priory Dental

Tom Creswick, vice chairman of the society and member of the sub-committee, said: “We are thrilled to reach our goal in such a short space of time. This shows how important getting another defibrillator installed in our city is, and how much the people of Wells care about this cause.

“I want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the committee to everyone that has donated, but in particular I want to thank Tesco Wells Community Grants for donating £200, the team at Priory Dental for donating £250, the staff at Greenhill House Care Home in Cheddar for donating £300, after a successful fundraising appeal of their own, and PQA Wells staff and students for holding a fundraising day.

“We love being part of this community and are making a lot of exciting improvements to your local theatre, so would welcome any future donations from members of the public. In the meantime, we hope you will continue to support our productions and social events to keep our amazing theatre running.”

Wells Little Theatre committee members Joanna Hartley Scammell and Mike Scammell receive a donation from Fay Difford, representing Greenhill House

The theatre has two more productions this year, with Agatha Christie’s play Witness for the Prosecution taking place in September (tickets available to buy from thelittleboxoffice.com/wellslittletheatre/book/event/198409).

This will be followed by Nativity! The Musical, which is being performed just before Christmas. Tickets will be on sale shortly.

Main picture: Tom Creswick with Karen Bevan of Tesco