Wimbledon Theatre Gala Night Boosts Diabetes UK
Sister Act audiences help star Alexandra Burke raise funds
New Wimbledon Theatre audiences helped raise more than £23,000 for the Diabetes UK charity after the theatre hosted a charity gala performance of Sister Act: The Musical.
Show producer Jamie Wilson, (left) star of Sister Act: The Musical and a supporter of Diabetes UK with Alexandra Burke (centre) recently presented Diabetes UK representative Stephen Ryan (right) with the cheque, largely raised by audiences at New Wimbledon Theatre.
Jamie has a family link to diabetes and Alexandra did all the shows on the recent tour run even though her mum was experiencing health problems related to her own Type 2 diabetes.
The bulk of the money was raised at a special gala night at the New Wimbledon Theatre, plus bucket-shaking over the course of two weeks in Wimbledon.
Stars who attended the gala night included Diabetes UK supporters actor Jonny Labey and Christopher Biggins. Also to watch Alexandra in action were Birds of a Feather actress and 2016 Strictly contestant Lesley Joseph. Strictly was also represented with pro dancers Natalie Lowe, Robin Windsor & Giovanni Pernice joining the audience on their feet for the musical update of Whoopi Goldberg’s hit movie. After the show, Alexandra spoke from the stage about her mother Melissa’s 31-year struggle with Type 2 diabetes.
She said: “My mum has had (Type 2) diabetes for 31 years and it’s been a long journey. She is proud to know that we are here for Diabetes UK, and I was proud and thankful to be on stage for this performance. For people to raise awareness of diabetes in whatever way they like such as Twitter and Facebook and supporting nights like this for this charity, matters so much to me. People need to be able to know what to do and if they can prevent Type 2, and that’s what makes Diabetes UK’s work so important.”
Diabetes UK chief executive Chris Askew said: “Everyone at Diabetes UK is so grateful to Jamie Wilson Productions, Alexandra Burke and the cast and crew of Sister Act. The money will go to making a difference for people living with diabetes. We are working hard for a world where diabetes can do no harm, and to have Jamie and Alexandra fully behind us means a great deal.”
February 27, 2017