Sunday Night at the Lyceum’

Reporter Jonathan White

A ‘Sunday Night at the Lyceum’ fund-raising variety show took place at Crewe Lyceum Theatre on the evening of Sunday 9th February 2020.

The event was packed with singing, dancing and laughter and was organised by local community radio station The Cat 107.9 FM to raise money for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity for the ‘Lost Little Ones’ baby bereavement suite, http://www.mchcharity.org/lost-little-ones-baby-bereavement-suite/

The show featured a variety of performers including a beautiful routine from Fraser School of Irish Dance; super group (Callum Wright, Oli Ng, Megan Lee); poet Helen Kay with Nigella; Nightingale Choir; Crewe Amateur Musicals Society presenting extracts from their recent performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Crewe Lions under 9’s football squad; local Battle of the Bands winner Cathy Jain; Nantwich Concert Band; Matrix Dance Squad; and writer-voicer-producer Buzz Hawkins with ‘The Bradshaws’; reaching a crescendo with William Spencer (Cheshire Buddies Scheme). Twichy, The Cat 107.9 FM mascot, joined in at every opportunity.

The sponsors were 1825 Financial Planning, Alextra Accountants, Amplify, Brightstar, Chromalloy, Construction Linx, Howard Worth chartered accountants & advisers, Innovation Relief, Optimum Pay Group, Rhino Safety, Right at Home South Cheshire. The programme was designed by Paper Anchor and printed by AJB Repro.

Volunteers from The Cat organised a wonderful and very enjoyable evening and the acts and performers gave their time for free to support a worthy cause.

The event raised £3,058 for ‘Lost Little Ones’. This total was raised from ticket sales with The Cat covering the cost of staging the show and with the help of sponsors and performers giving their time for free.

Chris Cadman, Managing Director, The Cat community radio said: “We really want to thank all the performers for their fantastic performances and support. The show highlighted what great talent we have in the area, which The Cat is keen to promote. We would also like to thank the sponsors who made it possible to stage the show and give all the ticket money to the ‘Lost Little Ones Appeal’. Finally, a big thank you to everyone who came along and supported the show.”

Carole Salmon, Community Fundraiser, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the fantastic event and to be able to thank The Cat team, all the performers, sponsors and everyone who bought tickets. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support the appeal has achieved, it’s clear to see how important this kind of facility is and even if people haven’t been affected by baby loss within their own families, they are very keen to help when they hear what we’re trying to do."