A PANTOMIME performed in aid of charity has raised thousands of pounds for two worthy causes.

Members of the Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime group invited residents to see their own self-penned tale, a spin on the classic British folk tale George and the Dragon.

Taking place at Caudwell Hall Theatre in Holme Grange School, Wokingham, a total of £2,200 was raised, which will be split equally between two charities.

The chosen ones are Brake, a road safety charity and the Link Visiting Scheme in Wokingham which reduces loneliness and promotes friendships to the elderly population.

Brake was chosen after the tragic death of previous cast member and parishioner Andrew Robertson aged 20, who was killed in a road accident in Nottingham in March 2017.

Mr Robertson, a past pupil of St Teresa’s Primary School and St Crispin’s Secondary School, was studying at Nottingham University when the accident happened leaving his family and everyone who knew him devastated.

Director of the pantomime, Dee Humphrey-Evans, said: “We dedicated this year’s pantomime to Andrew and it is in his memory that we are donating over £1000 to Brake. Andrew was involved in the parish pantomime for a several years both on stage and behind the scenes.

“We were also proud to support Link, a Wokingham charity that does so much to help the elderly and lonely members of our community.”

The charities were extremely grateful for the donations and both Community fundraising officer at Brake, Joe Fenton, said: “Brake is extremely grateful to everyone at the Corpus Christi Parish for going to such lengths to support Brake’s work at this year’s pantomime.”

Link Visiting Scheme Wokingham’s manager, Marjie Walker, said: “Thank you to all at Corpus Christi. We really are delighted, and we’d love to be invited to your panto next year.”

The Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime Group is a social group from the Corpus Christi RC Church Wokingham, involving people as young as 11 and some even in their 60s.

The all-amateur group get involved in every aspect of the performance from writing the script to sorting the sound, lighting, costume, and make-up.