Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page, set up to raise funds towards my participation in the National Youth Theatre this summer.

I've had a love of performing since a young age (even those recorder lessons your primary school music teacher always makes you do) and having danced and performed with several youth companies came to the realisation that professional theatre is what I want to do in life (but perhaps not reviving my Year 6 drag act as Widow Twanky).

Therefore I was absolutely thrilled to find out that my recent audition for the prestigious National Youth Theatre had been successful and that I had gained a place on the 2018 Junior Acting Course in London. I feel extremely lucky as there are only 500 places out of 6000 applicants, and it is a fantastic opportunity for young actors such as myself to gain the experience with industry professionals that will help me on my way to achieving a career on the West End. Previous members of NYT include Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Orlando Bloom, Catherine Tate, Sir Ben Kingsley, Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville!

However, this will cost almost £1000 for the course fees and my 2 weeks accommodation in London, plus travel and living expenses, so my Dad and I will be doing a sponsored event at Newcastle- Under-Lyme College on the 30th May. We will both be rowing the equivalent of crossing the English Channel, 21 miles, and then back again by pedalo (or more accurately, an exercise bike, as it's a bit too dry for a pedalo in Newcastle).

Any donations to sponsor us would be greatly appreciated, and who knows, you may even get a mention at the Oscars one day. ;-)

Thank you for your support,

Hugh.