Theatregoers are being invited to support local people affected by homelessness as West End show Come From Away visits the Ipswich Regent Theatre from 2 – 6 July.
This Olivier award-winning smash hit shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives. The ethos of the show is all about community spirit and how communities can come together to great effect.
In reflection of that heart-warming story, the Ipswich Regent Theatre is asking audiences to unite to help make a difference to homeless people in support of Ipswich Borough Council’s housing partner, the charity ihAg (Ipswich Housing Action Group).
Audience members watching the show during its five-night run from Tuesday 2 July to Saturday 6 July are being asked to donate food, drinks, toiletries, and clothing to help homeless people in Ipswich, with staff from Ipswich Borough Council also pledging their support by donating items.
People are encouraged to bring donations of:
Here is a full list of requested items you can donate.
Gavin Fisk, Assistant Director of Housing and Communities at Ipswich Borough Council, says: “In reflection of the brilliant real-life stories told through Come From Away, we hope the community will be inspired to join with us to help support homeless people in Ipswich.
“Our housing team works with ihAg as one of our Rough Sleeper commissioned partners to prevent and reduce homelessness in Ipswich, so we’re pleased to be able to continue to support the charity and their commitment to ending homelessness.
We’d especially like to thank Council staff who have already committed to donating items, and we hope audience members will also be able to donate what they can to this worthy cause.”
Hannah Leys, Assistant Director of Operations at Ipswich Borough Council, adds: “If everybody coming to one of these shows can bring just one item each to donate this will make a huge difference over the five-night run of this show.”
The theatre has teamed up with blogger Lydia Greatrix - Theatrical Lydia, to encourage theatre goers to donate goods in support of ihAg. Lydia who is an ambassador for Pay it forward 9/11, a charity set up to honour those who lost their lives by restoring kindness and inspiring acts of generosity and community spirit.
Lydia says: "I'm super excited to be collaborating with Ipswich Regent Theatre on this donation drive for ihAg. I hope that the patrons of Come From Away will open their hearts and their cupboards to donate to the amazing work ihAg does in Ipswich to support the homeless and rough sleepers. Theatre isn’t just a fun night out, it can really make a difference in the world, and I can’t wait to help make a difference in Ipswich."
Jools Ramsey-Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at ihAg adds: “I’m incredibly grateful to Lydia and the cast of Come From Away for choosing ihAg and its partners, as recipients for their Pay it Forwards Kindness pledge. This is a really exciting way to raise awareness of homelessness and show that collective action can make a significant difference to people’s lives.
“Losing a safe space to call home disrupts every aspect of a person’s health and wellbeing, and the kindness of strangers can have a huge impact on restoring a person’s dignity. Thank you so much to everyone who takes part.”
