The hugely popular children’s author Julia Donaldson will attend a special gala performance of The Gruffalo on 2 January in aid of children’s charities ChildLine and Amaze.
All profits from the special performance, which will also be attended by ChildLine’s founder Dame Esther Rantzen, will be donated to both charities. Audience members will also be able to further support the gala event by bidding in a silent auction for an original drawing of the Gruffalo which will be donated by the book’s illustrator Axel Scheffler.
Commenting on the upcoming event, Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “For 30 years ChildLine has been a place for children to turn to, even when it feels like no one else is listening. This generous donation from The Gruffalo, a story which has brought joy to countless children, will help ChildLine continue to be there for future generations of children, whenever they need our help.’’
As well as supporting the work of both the children’s helpline and Amaze, a charity that offers advice and support to families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, a proportion of tickets for the performance have been donated to the charity Spread A Smile to enable a number of families with ill children to enjoy a trip to the theatre.
The stage adaptation of Donaldson’s much-loved story about the fearsome Gruffalo continues its run at the Vaudeville Theatre until 3 January. Catch the family favourite before the Gruffalo heads back to his deep dark wood by booking tickets through us here.