A fundraising manager is using his background as a former professional actor to devise money-spinning events with a theatrical twist.
Paul Deakin, who works for Support Staffordshire, aims to “create experiences” for people while asking for their donations.
As well as being a charity board member he is also a director, actor and writer of theatrical presentations in his spare time.
Paul has organised a pre-Christmas fund-raising concert at My Stage Academy at Stafford Grammar School and will organise theatrical events throughout next year when Support Staffordshire will be the school’s named charity.
He plans to set up a touring drama group which will tour round to raise the profile of Support Staffordshire, the largest independent voice for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the county.
And he is already thinking ahead to next year’s festive season, having organised a Chronicles of Narnia-themed Winter Wonderland Ball at Keele University to raise money.
Professional actors will be involved and young people will be able to audition for parts in the theatrical proceedings.
“Guests at the ball will be able to walk through a wardrobe like the characters in the C.S. Lewis book,” said Paul. “It’s all about transporting people to somewhere else.”
Support Staffordshire benefits from being a charity member of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, who are supporting its Decadence fund-raiser in March, billed as a “night of sheer indulgence” with a vodka luge and tasty treats.
