The Archie Foundation launches children’s talent showcase
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Talented young magicians, dancers, singers and comedians who have been supported by The Archie Foundation are being invited to take to the stage to raise cash for the charity.
Children who have been cared for by The Archie Foundation or NHS Grampian are being given a rare chance to tread the boards at Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre.
Izzy Noble (8), who has been receiving treatment for cancer at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, is one of the stars of the show.
A keen singer and dancer, Izzy has been named "show ambassador" for the upcoming production and is just one of a host of children performing in The Archie Foundation Variety Show on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Working with The Archie Foundation to raise money to help other children and their families is very important to Izzy.
She said: “I felt super excited and very proud to be asked to be the ambassador for such an amazing show.
"I am so excited about performing at the Tivoli, I can’t wait to get on such an amazing stage.
"Performing and fundraising are two of my favourite things, so getting to do both at the same time is a dream come true.
“I want everyone to have as good a time as possible in hospital and The Archie Foundation really helps with this.
"During my first long stay in hospital The Archie Foundation gave me gifts and activities which kept me busy and really cheered me up.
"The parents’ accommodation they gave my mum and dad was great, it meant they could both stay with me all the time. My sister even came for a sleepover which was great fun.”
Izzy wants to encourage other children that have been supported by The Archie Foundation and NHS Grampian to take part in the show.
She added: “It will be so much fun, and it’s a great chance to show everyone how amazing you are.”
The Archie Foundation Variety Show will be made up of 12 acts, and applications are open now for other potential performers.
Cassie McGunnigle, fundraising manager for The Archie Foundation, said the show will celebrate the children’s unique talents and abilities.
She said: “The children will be the heart and soul of the show.”
“Whether they’re performing as a solo act, or part of a collaborative effort, the show at the Tivoli Theatre will be a celebration of them.
“All abilities are welcome to apply to be part of the show. We know that there are bound to be some children who will want to apply but perhaps won’t be sure of what their act might be.
"They shouldn’t worry, there will be support available to help them figure out what they can do, and to enable them to take part.
“We want the show to be a huge success. We are hoping to get industry professionals on board to act as mentors to the performers, filling an important role, providing advice and guidance to those taking part in the show.
“I’m sure the mentors will be a huge help, boosting the children’s confidence and making sure they’re all ready for their moment in the spotlight.”
Anyone interested in nominating themselves as a mentor should contact Cassie via hello@archie.org
The one-off event will also see staff from NHS Grampian showcasing their hidden talents.
Cassie added: “We want to celebrate the strong bond which exists between The Archie Foundation and NHS Grampian.
"To highlight this, we are including a very special act in the variety show which will see members of NHS Grampian staff step into the limelight.
"It’s also a great opportunity for the children and their families to see another side to the staff they normally only see in a clinical setting.”
According to Cassie, the parents of supported children will participate too, with a special act providing an opportunity for them to shine a light on their previously unseen talents.
She said: “There is no doubt that the parents of children supported by The Archie Foundation often have to mine incredible depths of strength when faced with circumstances that mean their child is in hospital.
“This time, we are challenging them to showcase a different sort of strength. We plan to include a parent performance in the variety show and want to give parents the chance to have their moment in the sun.
"This will be an inspiring and uplifting performance for both the participants and the audience and I’m excited to see what talents come to the fore.”
Local businesses are being invited to support the event.
Cassie added: “We can’t run events like The Archie Foundation Variety Show without the support of the local community.
"We have several sponsorship packages available which will offer companies prime branding opportunities while supporting an amazing local initiative.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said: “We provide a wide variety of support and services to children and their families every day.
"We already think the children we support are shining stars, their bravery when dealing with the challenges they have to face is second to none.
“The Archie Foundation Variety Show will celebrate this bravery while also giving the children a chance to shine on stage."
Archie has helped children and families across the north of Scotland for 22 years, funding specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at Highland Children’s Unit, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
Anyone wanting to sign up to take part in or support The Archie Foundation’s Variety Show should visit www.archie.org or send any questions to hello@archie.org
