Stars jet in for Pirates' opening

PALMA
THE Pirates Adventure show in Magalluf is hoping to raise more than 100'000 euros from its charity premiere in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital with a help of a raft of TV celebrities.

The charity premiere kicks of the 2008 Pirates show. This year six families linked to the London hospital will be flown in to Majorca from across the UK to see the show and meet some of the celebrities who will also be attending. “This is the fourth year that Pirates Adventure has supported Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and all proceeds from the premiere will be donated to the hospital,” said Pirates' Managing Director Andrew Clemence. “Last year's premiere raised over 110'000 euros for the charity and we're hoping to do even better this year.” “Working with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity is extremely important to us and it's good to know that we can give some families a well-deserved break as well as raise funds for the future of the hospital.” Among the celebrities who'll be arriving in Majorca for the charity premiere are some famous faces from the world of soaps, including Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell in EastEnders), Jessie Wallace (formerly Kat Slater in EastEnders) Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street) and Charlie Condou (Marcus Dent in Coronation Street). Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke, who memorably played Tracey and Sharon in Birds of a Feather will also be attending.

Great Ormond Street, the largest UK centre for heart and brain operations in children, is currently trying to raise 123 million pounds for a major 312-million redevelopment. Once the work is complete, the hospital will be able to treat an extra 20'000 young patients.

The hospital also wishes “to provide care in a more comfortable and convenient way, reduce unnecessary stays in hospital and provide better facilities for the 1'000 parents a week who need to sleep near their child”.

Matt Forrest, the Head of Community Fundraising at the hospital's children's charity, said that he was “delighted that Pirates Adventure has name Great Ormond Street as its chosen charity for the fourth year running”. “We need to raise 50 million pounds a year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy equipment and fund research so Pirates' generous support is vital to our success.” All the money raised by the charity this year will go toward the Theatres for Theatres appeal, a new initiative to help children with neurological and craniofacial conditions by funding state-of-the-art operating theatres with a new children's centre for neurosciences. The current unit is the largest of its kind in the UK.