Two Cheshire charities receive combined £25,000 donation from Omaze

Two Cheshire charities receive combined £25,000 donation from Omaze

Two charities in Cheshire have received a £25,000 donation, divided equally between them, from entertainment company with a social purpose, Omaze, following its recent house draw in the area.

The first beneficiary of the joint donation is Lymm Sanctuary Hub, founded in 2019 - which provides wide-ranging community support for people with dementia, parents and carers of children with special educational needs, particularly ADHD and autism; and older vulnerable residents. 

The second beneficiary is Green Room Theatre, Wilmslow, founded in 1924 to advance education in all parts of the community through dramatic plays, encouraging local people to experience the benefits of performance arts.

Lymm Sanctuary Hub will use its £12,500 share to sustain three core projects over the next year - the Memory Café, which supports people living with dementia and provides vital respite for their carers; the Digital Café, which helps older residents navigate technology with confidence; and the Vantry Project, an affordable mobile food hub serving more than 150 local families. 

The Vantry had previously been funded by Sainsbury’s, but with that support ending in February, the donation will allow the service to continue uninterrupted. The Hub’s befriending project will also benefit from the donation, enabling it to meet growing local demand.

The Green Room Theatre, Wilmslow will use its £12,500 to launch and support a new youth drama group in its first year, offering young people the chance to explore performance in a non-musical setting. 

The funds will also go towards upgrading its reception and communal areas so the theatre can host more local groups, installing air conditioning in the main auditorium to improve the audience experience, and strengthening links with nearby schools to provide theatre access for children who might otherwise be unable to afford transport or city-centre tickets.

Omaze has a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where its Grand Prize houses are located - in addition to the main donation for its House Draw charity partners – and is “delighted” to be supporting these two very worthy local causes.

Richard Pearce, Chair of Trustees, Lymm Sanctuary Hub said: “We are delighted to receive this generous donation from Omaze.  It will benefit our projects and services, enabling us to support more local people through challenging times.”

Paul Lewis, Chairman, the Green Room Theatre in Wilmslow said: “I have heard of Omaze’s work with charities and even bought tickets. I was absolutely thrilled to hear that Omaze would make a donation to our theatre. It will help us to get our plans for more community involvement in place, including helping local children experience the wonders of live theatre.”

Sue Johnston, Actor and Patron, the Green Room Theatre in Wilmslow said: “I’m delighted that Omaze has provided a fantastic donation for our theatre. I know the theatre will use it positively to help the community, and especially young people, experience the thrill of live theatre.”

Caitlin Bahrey-Neumark, Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted we have been able to make a contribution to these two fantastic charities.

“I was honoured to visit the Green Room Theatre, Wilmslow to meet representatives from both charities and hear about the incredible people who are providing such vital community services.

"Omaze will continue to help more local causes in the areas where we host our house draws, wherever possible.”

PP Omaze Green Room Theatre & Lymm Hubb