Francis House receives £3,600 from panto stars

40th anniversary performance of the St. Catherine's Club pantomime

Group of people dressed in pantomime costumes stood on a theatre stage

Although they received no BAFTA or Oscar nominations, the stars of St. Catherine’s Players were true winners to the staff and families at Francis House Children’s Hospice.

St. Catherine’s Club’s recent pantomime ‘Cinderella 2: the Sequel’ raised a crowd-pleasing £3,600 in funds for the hospice that provides care and support to the families of children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.

For four decades, members of the Club in Didsbury, have been performing pantos and delighting audiences. Through the generosity of their supporters, the pantomime has raised more than £200,000 for charities such as Francis House and Moya Cole Hospice.

Mike Schilling of the St. Catherine’s Club Didsbury Panto, said: “In 1986 a group of members in Saint Catherine’s Club decided to perform a Christmas pantomime. Little did they realise that 40 years later they will be still performing. The first event raised £2,500 for The Christie Hospital. In the following years various local charities benefited from the funds raised.

“A major milestone arrived in February 1991 when we raised £7,000 for the recently formed Rainbow Family Trust. We have supported Francis House Children’s Hospice with every performance since then raising many thousands of pounds."
Mike Schilling, St Catherine’s Club Didsbury Panto

“A welcome spinoff from our productions has been a wonderful spirit generated between all those involved some of whom have taken part in virtually every performance over the past 40 years.

“We hope to continue for many years to come and with the welcome addition of new younger members the future looks secure. Oh yes it does!” said Mike.

A man and a woman stood with a group of school children holding a large cheque and smiling at the camera — Members of St. Catherine’s Players including Mark McDowell present a cheque for £3,600 to Laura Birch, fundraising officer of Francis House.

Following the panto, four young members of the cast and performer Mark McDowell, visited Francis House to present a cheque for £3,600.

Kate Puc, fundraising officer of Francis House said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the pantomime. We are so grateful for the incredible team effort that goes into putting on the production every year and the commitment to Francis House that the members and players of Saint Catherine’s Social Club have demonstrated from day one. We are truly grateful for their support and this wonderful donation.”