Our colleague, friend and mentor Sarah Brigham - Artistic Director of Derby Theatre, champion of young people, supporter of emerging artists, and one of life's most generous givers - has a rare form of cancer.

It's so rare that there's no treatment for it on the NHS, so we need to get Sarah to Germany where they can give her the best chance possible.

Team Brig-Aid are campaigning to raise the funds needed for Sarah to have the treatment. We want to contribute to the campaign because we love and respect Sarah for who she is, what she does and how she does it.

We're a theatre company, one of many, who have been supported in many ways by Sarah and we've decided to challenge ourselves and some of our theatrical friends to complete a sponsored 24-hour Shakespeare Marathon.

It all starts at QUAD arts centre in Derby, UK, on Thursday 14th June at 5pm, when the performances and workshops run non-stop until 5pm on Friday 15th June.

If you're in Derby or nearby, drop by to catch a performance. You might want to join in a workshop as well. Whatever you decide, make sure you bring along your cash to throw in the Brig-Aid collection buckets.

The whole Shakespeare Marathon will be livestreamed at 1623theatre.co.uk, so you won't miss out if you can't make it to QUAD. Please remember to donate here before, during or after the event.

Check out the full 24-hour programme at 1623theatre.co.uk/brigaid .

Further to audiences and artists, all shows and workshops are suitable for learners and teachers of literature and drama. We encourage schools and colleges to take part.