Swindon Theatres Help Raise More than £1 Million for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

Swindon 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.

The Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre 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 Swindon Theatres are 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."

Over the last seven years, Swindon Theatres have been fully committed to raising money for GOSH through various fundraising activities. At their annual Family Fun Days they have held bake sales and tombolas, there have been bucket collections after the Christmas Pantomime performances and members of staff organised a FIVE4GOSH campaign, appealing for staff, volunteers and local businesses to donate £5 for the charity. In 2015, staff took part in the Swindon Half Marathon Fun Run dressed as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (the Panto title for that year) and raised money through sponsorship.

"I'd like to thank our wonderful audiences in Swindon for donating to GOSH so generously." Said Swindon Theatres Director, Derek Aldridge. "This magnificent achievement is down to them and I know many local families will benefit from the facilities and expertise of Great Ormond Street Hospital."

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.