A West Cumbrian theatre group has raised £2,200 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Rosehill Players collected the funds through a sell-out performance of The Calendar Girls at Rosehill in May.
The show is based on the true story of women from a Yorkshire WI who posed nude for a charity calendar.
Inspired by this, members of the theatre group created their own charity calendar to donate all proceeds from sales to the local hospice.
The calendar features photographs by Dave Wilson staged in several businesses in Whitehaven. The group also raised funds throughout their show week with a raffle and handmade crocheted sunflowers.
Anne Wilson, who directed the show for the Rosehill Players, said: “Inspired by the spirit of the play, our cast decided to produce our own calendar to raise money for our local Hospice at Home charity, a cause very close to our hearts.
“The sunflower features throughout the story and is also the emblem of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, making it the perfect symbol for our fundraising.
“With the expertise of our wonderful photographer Dave, who also appeared in the play as our on-stage photographer, we created our own calendar.
“Alongside this, Jude Henderson and Lois Anderson lovingly crocheted beautiful sunflower brooches, which were sold during show week at Rosehill Theatre.
“We’d like to say thanks for the incredible generosity of our audiences and supporters.”
Holly Harkness, community fundraising co-ordinator at Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said: “Congratulations to all members at Rosehill Players for this fantastic fundraising achievement!
“The sunflower is the universal symbol of hospice care, as well as being associated with this iconic production, so we were delighted when Rosehill Players let us know that they wanted to use their performance to support our work.
“The support of local community groups is essential for us to be able to continue providing our vital services to those in need, and we’d like to thank the members of Rosehill Players for their generous and rather brave support through the charity calendars.”
Hospice at Home West Cumbria provides palliative and end of life care across the area and needs to raise over £1.5 million each year to deliver its services for free.
