Local children hit the stage raising over £75,000 for Hospice charity

Following twelve days of intensive rehearsals, 140 local school children took to the big stage at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for a very special charity production of The Wiz, a show packed full of groovy 70s funk, rock and Motown music.

Bucks Radio were the official media partner of the show, which raised over £75,000 from a matinee and evening performance on Sunday (27/8/23)

After the show, we caught up with Helayna Liviero who choreographed the performances, and had a very personal reason for being part of the production:

More on The Wiz

“The show was just fabulous, the talent was incredible throughout, with such amazing voices, singing, dancing, acting and direction.” Shared Shama, who came to watch her daughter Aarnavi in the show. “Our family enjoyed the show and Aarnavi had the best time, she loved every day of rehearsals with her new friends. The team made each and every one of the children feel like stars, and all whilst raising funds for such an important cause.”

Produced in partnership with Bucks Music Trust, sponsored by many local businesses including Lightfoots Solicitors and Barratt David Wilson Homes, and supported by William Harding’s Charity, the project brought local communities together for  spectacular one-day-only performance that raised over £75,000 for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity to provide local hospice care.

“We did it, our amazingly talented cast absolutely smashed it! With only twelve days to rehearse, the children took the challenge in their stride and absolutely surpassed all our expectations.” Explained Amy Quinlan, Senior Fundraiser for Special Event and Projects for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. “Emotions ran high after the show with feelings of relief and excitement, many children and parents already asking to do it all over again. This production has meant so much to so many people.

To our teams of costume makers, parents, chaperones, cast, sponsors, supporters, musicians, tech team and the whole direction and production team - we all did it together. Thank you, it really was something special that we will never forget.”

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity commits to provide over £1,200,000 of hospice services each year, supporting local in-patient and at-home palliative  care services across Buckinghamshire and its borders.

Florence Nightingale Hospice is located at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and provides first class specialist palliative care which is accessible and free of charge to those with a life-limiting illness in Buckinghamshire. The Hospice is the only bedded unit in Buckinghamshire.  The Hospice also provides other services such as the FNH@Home service, providing end-of-life care for patients in their homes, Florrie’s Children’s Team respite care for families, the Day Hospice and Bereavement Listening Support.

To find out more about other ways to fundraise and support the charity visit https://fnhospice.org.uk/events where you can find details of their upcoming Music Festival - FlorenceFest, and their next show Nativity! The Musical at Wycombe Swan Theatre in October.