Northern Ireland

Co Tyrone community theatre donates £2,000 towards The Irish News's Ukraine appeal

A resident stands at the entrance of his building, damaged after bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press
A resident stands at the entrance of his building, damaged after bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press A resident stands at the entrance of his building, damaged after bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press

A CO Tyrone community theatre has donated £2,000 towards The Irish News's Ukraine appeal.

Craic Theatre in Coalisland made the generous donation after staff said they wanted to help refugees fleeing the country following the Russian invasion.

Michael Carolan, the theatre's manager, said the money was raised from ticket receipts from an evening production of Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 earlier this week.

"I put a message to our board and asked if we could donate to Ukraine," he said.

"They said yes, yes, yes immediately.

"We agreed that one of our nights would be donated to Ukraine.

"You're watching it (the war) on TV and it's heartbreaking. Everyone just thought it was the right thing to do."

Craic Theatre, which has been running since 1995, is a community theatre which puts on popular professional and amateur productions.

The £2,000 donation will also see an extra £500 added through gift aid - a government scheme that enables charities to increase the value of donations made by reclaiming the basic rate tax that has been paid on the gift.

Mr Carolan said the theatre previously raised money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

"We're lucky that we could do something," he said.

"We thought that it would be better and easier to send money rather than goods."

Mr Carolan said 9 to 5 was "probably the most successful show we have had".

"We extended the run," he said. "We were still full until the very end."

The Irish News has partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – which brings together charities including Concern Worldwide, the Red Cross and Save The Children – to raise money for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Annette Small, The Irish News's group marketing and communications manager, praised the response from readers so far.

"Our generous readers have donated thousands to our Ukraine Appeal which supports the Disasters Emergency Committee fundraising," she said.

"We have been reporting on the heroic efforts of communities to rally around Ukraine and its people to provide aid, supplies and financial support.

"We wanted to help and our readers wanted to help.

"We are very grateful to everyone who is giving and helping to spread the word about the appeal."

:: The Irish News has partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – which brings together charities including Concern Worldwide, the Red Cross and Save The Children – to raise money for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/inews, or TEXT AID to 70150 to donate £10 plus your standard network charge.

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