A group of forty-five children and adults who use Norwood’s services enjoyed a magnificent production of Annie at the Shaw Theatre off London’s West End on 1 April 2009. The tickets were generously donated by Joel Kern of Make Believe Productions, who produced the show.
The group was made up of children and their families who use Norwood’s services, and adults with learning disabilities who live in Norwood’s residential care homes and supported accommodation, as well as those who live in their own homes and are supported by Norwood’s outreach service.
Joel Kern, aged 20, has chosen to donate the part of the proceeds from the production to Norwood, the UK’s largest Jewish charity supporting children, adults and families living with learning disabilities or coping with social difficulties, and Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. He said, “Make Believe is about giving people the opportunity to fulfil their hopes and dreams, and we have always tried to teach others that helping those less fortunate is very important. Norwood and Make-A-Wish are two wonderful organisations who give people a chance that they truly deserve, and on behalf of everyone at Make Believe we wish them every success for the future.”
Jeff Pelta who played Daddy Warbucks, got the part during live open auditions held for the cast at the Liberty Centre, Romford, in January 2009. Jeff’s involvement with Norwood goes back a long time to when he set up the Parry Charitable Foundation 32 years ago. The charity provided accommodation for adults with learning disabilities, whilst Norwood provided the care, and Jeff remained a Trustee until the Parry Charitable Foundation merged with Norwood in 2007.
He said, “I’m so proud of Joel for choosing to make a contribution to these charities. The most important thing we can do is get involved and help others less fortunate than ourselves. Charity is all about putting something back. It’s the right thing to do.”
Becki Lee, Director of Annie, and who played the lead in the original cast said, “I want to thank everyone for coming and raising money for the charities.”
Annie, played by Megan West, signed autographs and enthusiastically posed for photographs with children, including Oren and Ella Kadosh, who attend Norwood’s Unity recreational scheme for children with disabilities at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children and Family Centre in Hendon.
Bradley Moss who lives in a Norwood residential home in Hendon said, “I thought it was really good.”
Adele Breslauer, Head of Events and Patronage at Norwood, said, “On behalf of Norwood I would like to thank Joel Kern at Make Believe for his generosity in choosing Norwood as one of the benefitting charities of this production of Annie.”
Shows will also take place from 21–25 July 2009 at The Bloomsbury Theatre. Please call 020 8953 2509 to book your tickets at £25 for adults and £15 for children.
For more information contact Vivienne Brown, Marketing Communications Manager on
020 8420 6916 or Vivienne.Brown@norwood.org.uk
