Local businesses and charitable trusts choose to be involved with the Northern Stage Christmas Access Scheme as a way of supporting the local community. The combined generosity of this support each year enables over 500 children, living in the more disadvantaged parts of our region, to enjoy the opportunity to attend a free Christmas trip to the theatre.

The Christmas Access Scheme works with Northern Stage and our supporting partners covering the price of the tickets and transport. We match each supporting organisation with a school and make all the arrangements. If companies prefer, they can request a particular school to be included in the scheme and we contact them on their behalf. After their visit the children write directly to their sponsoring company with letters and pictures recording their visit as a special thank you.

Our huge thanks to the following organisations, who made it possible for 714 children to see A Christmas Carol and Tattercoats last Christmas:

• The Barbour Trust
  
• Benfield Motors Charitable Trust
• Browell Smith & Co
• John Lewis Newcastle
• NCJ Media
• Northern Rock plc
• RW Mann Trust
• Ward Hadaway