The Kent Police Pantomime Group has raised £7,000 for charity from its latest performances.
The group was formed in 1998 after Thanet policeman Ken Pickett decided to find a different way to help with his charity fundraising. He wrote a script, asked colleague Alan Davison to direct the production and a “one off show” was put on at the Theatre Royal in Margate in January of 1999,
It was performed by serving police officers from Thanet, who, all in all their own time, worked tirelessly to produce a fantastic show. Due to the success of the first show, and the large amount of charity money raised, it was decided to put on a pantomime for the community each year.
Each year serving police officers, retired colleagues, friends and family come together and stage a panto at the Theatre Royal for different charities.
Producer Martin Douglas said of this year’s fundraiser: “This huge amount of money was raised during our 2019 pantomime of Dick Whittington and his cat, in February. Cheques were presented to Pilgrims Hospice, SpeakUpCIC, Inspiration Creative CIC and Parkinson’s UK Thanet branch.
“Each charity received a cheque for £1,750. To all those who attended and supported the panto this year, thank you so much for your support and kind contributions. We are very excited to announce next year’s pantomime will be The Wizard from Auss in Feb 2020.
“This is our 22nd pantomime and 20 years at the Theatre Royal. Tickets will be on sale later this year.”
