May has been a fantastic month for The Darlington Civic Theatre Foundation (the Theatre’s charitable fund).  The team has been celebrating being awarded two major financial grants.

In early May The Gillian Dickinson Trust pledged £50,000 towards the capital costs, with funds being used to create a dedicated learning space for young people at the restored Darlington Hippodrome.  Gillian Mary Dickinson had a passion for the arts, the sector in which she worked for the majority of her life. The Gillian Dickinson Trust offers grants to small registered charities in Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear. The Trust aims to promote creativity in young people and to help those affected by deprivation whether through disability, illness or circumstance.

Funding is intended to support projects that promote excellence primarily through the promotion of creativity, particularly in the young and disadvantaged.

James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the Trust, says, 'the Trustees of the Gillian Dickinson Trust are delighted to support this major project to restore and develop the Darlington Hippodrome which will so inspire and benefit future generations.  This is such an iconic cultural centre right in the heart of Darlington and we look forward to seeing young people benefit in so many ways from all that will be achieved.'

We have also been celebrating the news that The Garfield Weston Foundation has pledged £100,000 to the capital costs.  The Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded, grant-making trust which has been supporting charities across the UK for over 50 years.  From small community groups to large national institutions, its aim is to support organisations that have effective solutions to helping those most in need. The Foundation supports a broad range of organisations and activities that share a commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of the communities in which it works, communities which are driven by a desire to achieve excellence.

The Theatre team is delighted to be working with the two trusts and looks forward to welcoming more on-board in the coming months.