The festive season wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the pantomime at Milton Keynes Theatre. This December, Goldilocks and the Three Bears will take centre stage, starring Brian Conley alongside a cast of panto favourites.

It promises to be a riot of comedy, spectacle and sparkle, as the theatre transforms into a sensational circus where everything is possible and anything could (and will) happen.

This year, Milton Keynes Community Foundation is thrilled to have been selected as the official charity partner, meaning a trip to the theatre will help make the community better and fairer. Every pound generously donated during the season will flow into the Foundation’s Community Fund. That fund, in turn, supports hundreds of charities and community groups across MK, from grassroots organisations to larger cultural landmarks.

MK Community Foundation is looking for businesses, groups and individuals to volunteer as bucket collectors at the theatre across the five-week panto run. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to do something a little different this Christmas, a team-building activity with a true feelgood factor.

Volunteers will shake a bucket before and after the show, greeting audiences and helping to channel their generosity into projects that enrich lives throughout the year.

Audiences are already in the festive spirit, so it’s the perfect time to raise funds while spreading cheer. Dress up, add a bit of sparkle, and watch the donations roll in as the curtain goes up.

Why it matters

MK Community Foundation funds the projects that make life in the city that little bit better. Small but essential examples include arts clubs for children from supplementary schools, or community gardens growing fresh produce for local food banks. Or the big, visible projects: restoring landmarks like Bletchley Park Trust or expanding spaces like MK Gallery. And projects that make local events available to everyone with accessibility infrastructure at Pride and IF: festival.

And, of course, ones that often go unnoticed, like installing a service bollard along the canal so the community boat Electra can reach more people in the north of MK.

There are hundreds of ways Milton Keynes Community Foundation works for the city, and the panto project means more people can be part of that.

Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director at Milton Keynes Theatre said: “Every year our charity partnership creates a longer-lasting legacy for the pantomime. This year, partnering with MK Community Foundation gives the opportunity for the happiness our audiences experience to reach beyond the panto season and impact the wider MK community.”

Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, added: “Every penny collected goes back into supporting grassroots organisations that are making a real difference in our city.”

For more information, email: marketing@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk

To secure a volunteer slot for your team, click here.