Central England Co-op helps spread festive joy with donation to help disadvantaged families enjoy the panto magic

Central England Co-op has made a donation of £2,250 to give disadvantaged families the opportunity to enjoy a trip to the pantomime in Lichfield this festive season.

The Lichfield-based retailer was approached by Lichfield Garrick Theatre to see if it would be part of a scheme that has been running since 2017 aimed at helping families and young people who are suffering bereavement, illness, or trauma attend its festive events at Christmas.

It was delighted to support the project and continue its partnership with the Garrick which is also seeing Central England Co-op sponsor a brand-new community musical coming to the stage in 2022.

James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer at Central England Co-op, said: “At Central England Co-op we are always looking at ways we can make a difference in our communities, and we are also very proud to be part of the community in Lichfield.

“Therefore, when our friends at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre got in touch about this really great scheme, we were really keen to add our support and are delighted that this funding will help spread some festive joy and the joy of the theatre to so many families this Christmas.”

This year’s Lichfield Garrick pantomime is the All New Adventures of Peter Pan, again directed and starring Lichfield legend Sam Rabone and will run from Thursday, 25 November until Sunday, 2 January 2022.

Matthew Clay, Development Manager at Lichfield Garrick Theatre, said: “This Christmas, we wanted to help more people than ever experience the escapism of pantomime, especially following the tough months of the pandemic.

“Thanks to Central England Co-op, we can now offer tickets to more families via local charities than any other year in the scheme’s five-year history. We are incredibly grateful for this support which is another part of our growing community partnership.”