Raffles & Charities

CAST are a non profit making group. We cover the cost of the show were are working on and keep a reserve to cover the cost of the next show, assuming we've made a profit that is, and then all our remaining funds go to charity.

Each year, members of the group are asked to nominate charities and give their reasoning behind the nomination and then the committee have the arduous task of whittling down the nominations to just three.

Our nominated charities for 2005/2006 were Alzheimer's Research Trust, ARC Noddy appeal and BAAF adoption and fostering. Representatives from each charity will be coming to the first Saturday evening performances to collect their cheques. Our nominated charities for 2006/2007 are Victim Support, Berkshire, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and The Starlight Foundation.

The proceeds from the sale of our programmes, raffle tickets and any competitions we run in the foyer before shows also go to the charities. This year we are running a 'Where's Bear? competition with a huge old map of London which has been gridded and the audience can buy a square for £1.00. The winner who picks the square where bear is hiding will win a 4ft high teddy bear which has been donated to us.

For the raffle we ask the cast of the show to provide prizes but we also write to approx. 50/60 companies per show and ask for donations. Most of these are companies who are local to us but we also try to write to companies who supply goods which are relevant to the show or where the company is being mentioned within the script.

Having written the letters for the last 3 years or so, I am now well used to the routine. If the letters go out on a Monday, then by the Thursday I will have received at least 5 standard letter 'No' responses where the companies support their own chosen charities directly. There'll be the odd immediate 'yes' but the yes replies tend to take longer to arrive. Then I'll start getting parcel delivery slips through the door because companies have sent prizes and not told me they are 'in the post' - and I've been at work, so redirection or collection has to be arranged.

We're doing exceptionally well so far; we have a camera, a decorating tool, 4 passes for a days racing at a nearby racecourse, a meal for 2 at a local restaurant, some toiletries, a few vouchers and some energy saving lighbulbs!

Lyric of the Blog: "And The Rhythm Of Life is a powerful beat, Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet, Rhythm in your bedroom, Rhythm in the street, Yes, The Rhythm Of Life is a powerful beat" Sweet Charity