12Ks of Xmas for Sick Kids
Panto stars stage charity walk for Sick Kids
A dozen Edinburgh-based panto stars are swapping their spectacular walk downs for a 12K sponsored walk for the Sick Kids in this year of no live pantomimes.
The twelve, who include Uglies, Princesses, Baddies and Silly Billies among their number, will be leaving Bruntsfield Links on Saturday 12th at 12.30pm and setting off on a 12k hike past the old Sick Kids, up to the new one and then back down to Bruntsfield.
Some of the panto stars on stage over the years/
The event has been organised by Lyceum favourite Nicola Roy, who says: “I was working with actress Kirsty Eila McIntyre for the day and we were discussing how much we were going to miss doing a Christmas show this year and hearing the excitement of the children in the audience.
“That also sadly means no cast visit to the children’s hospital or charity bucket collections. I had been considering ways we could still do some good and so I floated a fundraising idea to Kirsty and she was in agreement and so we put our heads together.”
This is Roy’s first panto-free Christmas for 11 years. Although she is Edinburgh-based, she cut her panto teeth at the Glasgow Kings’ Aladdin alongside Karen Dunbar, playing the chatterbox So-Shy, the daft love interest of Wishee Washee played by the late great, Gerard Kelly.
Pickle
She adds: “As actors we normally try and bring a wee bit of magic into children’s lives at this time of year but what the Sick Kids Hospital do for poorly children all year round is just incredible. Our hearts go out to children and their families who will be spending Christmas in hospital.
“Our industry may be in a bit of a pickle but we still have the Christmas Spirit and hope to raise money for the charity!.”
The panto Dozen, who will be fortified by a glass of something warm donated by the Black Ivy bar in Bruntsfield, are Isabella Jarrett, Nicola Roy, Hannah Jarrett-Scott, Arron Usher, Jennifer Black, Kirsty Eila McIntyre, Natalie Arle-Toyne, Tim Licata, Jenny Hulse, Mori Christian, Elspeth Turner and Julie Coombe.
This will be a properly socially-distanced walk – proceeding in an orderly fashion (as if!) in twos at two metres apart. And of course, with a staggered start – and not because of hot take-away libation from the Black Ivy.
Roy has set up a just giving page that will remain open for the next week. As we went to press it has already surpassed its initial aim of raising £1,500.
You can donate here: Edinburgh 12ks of Christmas.
ENDS
