intu Eldon Square’s popular gift wrapping service has been launched by two of the north-east’s favourite panto dames.
Maxie Peters & Bob Stott, appearing as Lottie & Dottie Stottie in Beauty and the Beast at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre, took time out of their hectic panto schedule to launch the charity gift wrapping stand, sited between John Lewis and Kurt Geiger.
Busy shoppers can visit the gift wrapping area and have their presents beautifully wrapped by nimble fingered volunteers from The Children’s Foundation, in return for a donation to the charity that aims to improve the lives of children here in the north east.
Panto stalwart Bob Stott (Dottie) is enjoying his first panto appearance as part of the cast at the Tyne Theatre, and was coaxed out of retirement after many years of playing the dame. Bob said:
“I thought my diva days were behind me, dharlings, but this opportunity was just too good to turn down, and I’m having so much fun playing Maxie’s sister; the audiences are proving to be a real treat, as well as very noisy! Oh Yes They Are!”
Show director, Maxie Peters (Lottie), added:
“Every Christmas we have the time of our lives bringing festive fun and dollops of slapstick to families here in Newcastle. Christmas is a time for giving and we’re delighted to be able to launch the gift wrapping initiative for The Children’s Foundation – as that’s what Christmas is all about. That, and getting presents of course! I’ve decided to challenge Dottie to a Christmas wrap off – I think my bows and baubles will definitely be bigger than hers!”
Jonathan Clegg, community and events fundraiser at The Children’s Foundation commented:
“We’re so grateful that The Tyne Theatre’s glamorous panto dames were able to officially launch our Christmas wrap stand. This year is our tenth year and we are indebted to both intu Eldon Square and the generosity of the public. We have raised almost £25,000 from this service over the years and we are keen this year to reach over £30,000. We’d also like to give huge thanks to our supporters Leathers LLP, who for the fourth year running have sponsored gift wrapping products and will also be lending a helping hand to wrap presents.
“Here at The Children’s Foundation we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the North East and North Cumbria by focusing on the relief of distress, disability and disadvantage. The Christmas wrap stand is a fantastic way for us to raise funds to support our projects.”
Clare Cannon, community manager at intu Eldon Square, said:
“We’d like to thank Maxie & Bob for being total stars and bringing their larger-than-life panto personas into the centre to launch the gift wrapping promotion, which is always such a huge success and a great fundraiser for The Children’s Foundation. Whether you’re a wise shopper, who has his or her shopping trips planned like a military operation, or the last minute shopper, who is always in a flap, you can have your gifts wrapped all in good time, thanks to the gift wrapping station that is in centre until 4pm on Christmas Eve. At this special time of giving, intu Eldon Square is delighted to be able to help both our shoppers and a very worthwhile cause indeed!”