A DANCE and theatre school in Surrey has once again chosen the Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity to benefit from its tri-annual variety show.

Showshack, based in Farnham, raised an incredible £2,800 for the charity, following four performances of ‘The Greatest Showcase’ at The Aldridge Theatre in Rowledge.

More than 300 children and young people – aged from two to 16 – took part in the performances, which included singing, dance and drama.

The money was raised from raffles at each performance, with prizes generously donated from local businesses, as well as a bucket collection and sales from the show programme.

Pauline Thomson, principal of Showshack, produced the first charity showcase back in 2002, after a friend died of breast cancer.

She said: “Showshack has supported cancer charities since 2002 – I feel that so many people and families are affected by cancer these days and we hope that the money we have raised over the years helps make a difference.

“We’re pleased to have raised over £40,000 during the last 16 years and the students have enjoyed the experience of performing in such great shows over the years.”

Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity funds projects that make the biggest impact on the 260,000 people the hospital treats each year. The charity provides life-saving equipment, redevelops wards, invests in staff development and funds innovative research.

Money raised from Showshack’s charity show will support St Luke’s Cancer Centre, enhancing the environment and funding state-of-the-art equipment for patients with cancer.

Sandy Lowry, events fundraising administrator at Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, said: “It was such a brilliant performance and all the young people worked so hard.

“Showshack has supported the charity for over 16 years and we are so grateful for its support – the money raised has made a real impact to patients being treated at St Luke’s.

“Thank you to everyone who helped raise such a fantastic amount.”

To find out more about the charity or to make a donation, visit rschcharity.org.uk or call 01483 464146.