Royal & Derngate launches this year’s Unforgettable Gift appeal

Twice the impact, twice the magic… theatre shares the joy of Christmas with children, young people and families across Northamptonshire

As Royal & Derngate launches its annual Unforgettable Gift campaign, the theatre has set itself the ambitious target of giving 1000 tickets for Christmas shows in 2024 and for further productions into 2025, to children, young people and families in Northamptonshire that face challenging circumstances this year.

Royal & Derngate is pleased to be working once again with the Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Sir Gyles Isham Bursary on behalf of Lamport Hall Preservation Trust on this year’s Unforgettable Gift appeal. With their support and with the generosity of the theatre’s audience members and many of its Business Club Members, this yearly collaboration enables the theatre to gift hundreds of free tickets for its Christmas shows to children and young people who live in, or are at risk of, child poverty.

After a series of annual campaigns which started in 2015, the appeal has now been able to give away over 3,500 tickets to families in need, making the Christmas period more magical for a considerable number of children across Northamptonshire.

29 charities and foundations were supported by the Unforgettable Gift campaign last year, and in partnership with The Big Give Christmas Challenge, this year’s campaign aims to go bigger and better than ever before.

Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “We’re very proud to be a part of the Unforgettable Gift appeal again in 2024, having supported across many years, and to be supporting Royal & Derngate theatres through our Arts and Music Fund. We hope to make more of a difference through our donation being doubled through the Big Give this year and to help reach the goal of gifting 1,000 theatre tickets to local families.”

Customers are being invited to add a gift-aided donation of £10 when making a booking at Royal & Derngate. Additionally, for one week only (from 3 to 10 December) customers will be able to donate via the Big Give website, whereby donations to this campaign will be matched and the donation doubled. All donations will help to provide free tickets to the Christmas 2024 pantomime Cinderella and a brand-new stage adaptation of The Jolly Christmas Postman. Opportunities will also be available for tickets for productions into 2025.

Tracey Hamilton, Charity Manager of The Spring Charity Northampton had this to say after last year’s campaign helped them bring a group to the theatre: “Once again please accept my heartfelt thanks for thinking of our families and allowing them to experience the magic of live theatre via the ‘Unforgettable Gift’ scheme! The generosity of your patrons helped our families create magical Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.”

Chris Evans, Marketing, Sales & Development Director at Royal & Derngate, said: “We are deeply grateful to all our customers and supporters who make this campaign a success year after year. With the support of the Big Give, we aim to take this campaign to new heights, expanding our reach beyond the festive season. This will allow families to not only enjoy our popular Christmas shows but to also experience the magic of live theatre all year round.”  

Anyone can donate to this very special cause simply by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk/unforgettable-gift.

People wanting to suggest potential beneficiaries for tickets – such as charities, organisations, or agencies supporting vulnerable children – or any businesses interested in making a donation, should email development@royalandderngate.co.uk.

For more information about Royal & Derngate’s Christmas shows, and to book tickets, call Box Office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.