A NORTH-East musical theatre group has raised more than £1,300 for a Northern Echo appeal from collections after each of its recent shows to support Help for Heroes.

Encore performed a medley of songs to commemorate the centenary of World War I last month at Custom House Theatre in South Shields where the group is based, and decided to donate all the cash raised to Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison.

Graeme Smith from Encore said: “Collections took place after six performances.

“The idea to collect for Help For Heroes stemmed from a set in the show which was a tribute to WW1. The money donated is for The Northern Echo's appeal to raise £100,000 to create performing arts facilities in the new Wellbeing Centre at Phoenix House.

"We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our audiences who had no hesitation in donating to Help For Heroes. It is very fitting that the money raised from the show is going directly to the performing arts element of a Help for Heroes recovery centre.”

Mr Smith is no stranger to working with Help For Heroes, being a senior designer with PWS kitchens, based at Newton Aycliffe, and was the designer of the four self-help kitchens that were donated to Phoenix House by the company when the centre opened in 2013.

To support the Northern Echo's appeal for performing arts facilities at Phoenix House visit www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/campaigns/helpforheroes/donate/