Royal & Derngate has launched its 2025 Unforgettable Gift appeal, celebrating ten years of collaboration between the theatre, Northamptonshire Community Foundation, and local businesses to bring festive theatre experiences to families in need.

The annual initiative, first introduced in 2015, is one of Northamptonshire’s longest-running corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships. It brings together Royal & Derngate’s Business Club Members, audience donors and corporate partners to fund free theatre tickets for children and families facing hardship.

This year, the theatre aims to exceed all previous years by gifting tickets not only for its Christmas productions — The All New Adventures of Peter Pan and Mog’s Christmas — but also for shows running into 2026.

Britvic Soft Drinks Plc continues its corporate backing, donating drinks and goodie bags to accompany the tickets, while the Sir Gyles Isham Bursary (on behalf of Lamport Hall Preservation Trust) and the Northamptonshire Community Foundation once again play key roles in distributing funds and tickets to families across the county.

Since its inception, Unforgettable Gift has:

  • Donated over 4,500 tickets to local families

  • Raised more than £160,000 through 19,000 donations

  • Supported 29 local charities in 2024 alone

Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “Royal & Derngate’s Unforgettable Gift brings such joy to so many families each year. As a decade-long partnership, it shows how businesses and charities can work together to make the arts accessible to all.”

Chris Evans, Marketing, Sales & Development Director at Royal & Derngate, added: “This campaign has become a real showcase of Northampton’s business community coming together for good. We’re proud that so many local companies see it as a meaningful way to give back.”

Businesses interested in supporting the campaign can contact development@royalandderngate.co.uk, while individual donations can be made by calling 01604 624811 or visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk/unforgettable-gift.