An ensemble cast of volunteers came together to help a youth theatre charity transport rows of donated seating to its new home.
Some time ago, Silhouette Youth Theatre, based in the Weston Favell Shopping Centre, had 15 rows of nine seats donated to it by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The seats had been in storage for some time, and the cost of storage led the charity to seek another solution.
Leigh Wolmarans, CEO and Artistic Director of Silhouette, said: “Fortunately, we have space available in the former Wilko store at the centre, the problem was physically getting the seats here.
“I called a few companies to see if they could help, and it was MI Transport who offered to bring them here for us. They were amazing.
The MI Transport team, with help from the Shurgard Self Storage at Riverside at one end, and some of our neighbours from Shurgard and Clip & Climb in the centre, as well as the many centre staff who pitched in, brought the seats over here and unloaded them.
“We couldn’t have got it done without them all. The staff here are a constant support for our charity, we wouldn’t be able to function without them.”
The charity was founded by former headteacher Leigh to provide access to the arts and the chance to explore drama, music and dance to anyone, regardless of family background or socio-economic status. Silhouette is currently located in space on the top floor of Weston Favell Shopping Centre, although it has now outgrown that space, working as it does with over 350 young people every week.
It has been offered use of part of the former Wilko store but needs to raise nearly half a million pounds to transform the space into something that will fulfil its needs and allow it to extend its reach into the wider community.
Julie Knowles, HGV Supervisor at MI Transport, which is based on the nearby Round Spinney Industrial Estate, was happy to respond to Leigh’s request, not least because her children’s former primary school teacher is involved with the charity. The company made an articulated trailer, a van and two drivers available to help with the project.
“Most of our staff live locally, have children going to school locally, and, as a company, MI Transport is keen to do as much as it can to help within the community wherever it can,” said Julie. “In the end it was a fantastic effort, the team at Shurgard Self Storage went to a lot of trouble, charging up their forklift and using it to help with loading, and then there were willing hands at the other end to unload.
“It was quite an effort, they’re plush seats with all the frames and bolts, but with a combined effort, we got there.”
Sadly, the seats will remain simply in storage for some time as the charity is still struggling to raise the money needed to create a performance space for the young people.
Leigh said: “A lot of time and effort goes into putting together bids for the financial help we so desperately need, and times are getting increasingly tough. We understand that businesses and organisations are being more cautious, but we will keep pushing on, whatever happens.
“And then when people step up to offer practical help for something like this, it restores your faith in the kindness of people and is a reminder of what we could achieve and so makes us more determined to carry on than ever.”
To find out more about MI Transport’s services, call 0333 577 5100, email them here, or visit the website here.
