Newark pantomime cast offer cup of kindness to the Rosie May Foundation

Cinderella has offered a cup of human kindness to a charity that supports impoverished women and girls in Sri Lanka.

The Newark panto star, Anna Unwin, and cast, took time out after a matinee performance to share a cup of kindness, a hot drink, and a remarkable reunion, with the Rosie May Foundation by the pink tuk tuk that represents the work the charity does.

The reunion was with her former dance teacher at the Joseph Whitaker School, Zena Unitt, who now volunteers with the charity.

The cast of Cinderella, including Anna Unwin, meet Karen Thornton and Zena Unitt (right) at the Rosie May Foundation’s pink tuk tuk.

Zena, and colleague Karen Thornton, took the charity’s iconic pink tuk tuk to Newark Palace Theatre where she was reunited with Anna, who has previously danced for the charity.

The Rosie May Foundation was set up in memory 10-year-old Rosie May Storrie who was murdered at a Christmas gathering aged ten.

Rosie-May had danced in the pantomime at the Palace Theatre the year of her death and Anna

Children in Sri Lanka cannot access education unless they have school uniforms and the correct equipment, and the foundation provides it wherever possible, while also providing tuk tuks and driver training so single mums have a trade and can support their children.

Zena said: “What the charity does is to provide children with the opportunities that Rosie May was denied.

“I always knew that Anna was destined for great things and to have seen her on the pantomime poster proved that to be true. She has a great career ahead of her.

“It has been wonderful to see her again and to know that we have her support in the work that we do.”

Anna said: “I think what the Rosie May Foundation does is amazing.

“I am really impressed that out of something so tragic, something so amazing has come.

“When I was 12, I danced for the Rosie May Foundation and it was inspiring, knowing the charity makes such a difference to so many lives.

“It was so nice to be reunited with Miss Unitt, who was a wonderful teacher to me.”

Asked how the Cinderella panto was going, Anna said: “Brilliantly.

“I am part of such a wonderful cast and crew. Every performance is a joy.

“Everyone in Newark has been so supportive and great audiences.”

Newark pantomime cast offer cup of kindness to the Rosie May Foundation (newarkadvertiser.co.uk)