A challenging £20,000 target was set when the theatre joined The Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign, which is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign and doubles donations for just seven days.

The funds raised will support the Hippodrome Education Network programme, which enables young people from areas of low-social economic engagement to participate in workshops, digital masterclasses and career insight sessions.

Judith Greenburgh, Head of Fundraising & Development at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “We are thrilled to have exceeded our target thanks to the donations from over 150 individuals. Over the next year we will now be able to support over 5,000 young people in through HEN which is wonderful news. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign this year.”

Local businesses were equally generous, with donations kindly contributed by IMI PLC Charitable Trust and Darwin Escapes.

Zaylie-Dawn Wilson, Head of Learning & Participation at Birmingham Hippodrome added: “Keeping creativity in the curriculum has been more important than ever this year for young people. Your donations will enable us to continue supporting young people’s wellbeing, confidence and help them to imagine a bright future after the pandemic. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible for HEN so are able to continue supporting young people across the West Midlands.”