Panto fundraiser brings festive cheer

Community @communityunionDecember 19, 2023

With Christmas just around the corner, Community member Andrea Johnston has continued her annual tradition of fundraising to provide a trip to the local pantomime for families of HMP Kilmarnock staff and others who live in the surrounding areas.

Andrea fundraises within the prison and the local area and receives a generous donation from Serco, which runs the contract for HMP Kilmarnock.

For the second consecutive year, Community made a £1,500 donation to this initiative, which meant that, on top of the tickets to the panto, all the children who attended were given a Christmas gift.

Andrea (Mrs Claus) said:

“Thanks to everyone who came to the panto. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as the elves, the Grinch and I did!

“We have been organising this trip for 20 years. I would like to thank the Director of the prison for funding it over those years – we couldn’t have done it without this generous donation.

“Also, a big thank you to Community for everyone’s advent calendars, vouchers, and sweets.

“With the contract at HMP Kilmarnock being handed to SPS in the next few months, Mrs Claus and the elves have now taken the decision to retire, but we have loved every minute of it.

“We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a fab New Year, and we look forward to what new adventures next year might bring.”

Community Scotland Regional Organiser Jason Wyllie said:

“Community was delighted to donate to this event again through our In your community initiative.

“Community can provide support and resources to help our members make an impact on their local communities, and this panto trip organised by Andrea is a great example of this.

“The amount of time she has committed over the years is amazing – we are proud to have her as a member.”

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