Gloucestershire's biggest annual festive pantomime, Dick Whittington & His Cat Tweedy, hits the stage of The Everyman Theatre in a dazzling display of family fun from November to January.

This year the much-loved pantomime has appointed two local charity partners, St James City Farm  and Scrubditch Care Farm , and to help raise money for these two charities the theatre has organised an ambitious 10-mile sponsored walk on Sunday, October 2.

Celebrating the journey of The Everyman's pantomime hero Dick Whittington, the sponsored walk will start from his home at Pauntley Court and finish in Little London, with a climb up May Hill on the way!

An intrepid team of walkers made up of staff from The Everyman Theatre and volunteers and friends of St James City Farm and Scrubditch Care Farm will take on the challenge and help to raise much needed funds for the charities.

Emma Costley-White, founder of Scrubditch Care Farm, said: "We have a lovely daughter, aged 29, with learning difficulties and autism, who will be doing the sponsored walk with us.

"When looking for opportunities for her after school, it became clear to us that there was very little opportunity to work hands-on with farm animals and grow produce in a safe environment; geared towards vulnerable people. Hence we decided to start a care farm aimed at providing training and farm-based activities in 2010. It is now a thriving community and we have over 40 attendees each week."

Sally Watkins, who is 72 years old, is a regular volunteer at St James City Farm, having spent all her life surrounded by animals. Her daughter, Sarah, is one of the farm managers and she supported her with her own horses.

Sally had to give up volunteering at the farm for some time to care for her late husband, but is now back doing what she loves again and enjoying meeting new people and feeling like she has a purpose supporting a worthwhile cause. Sally is part of the group of volunteers tackling the 10-mile sponsored walk on Sunday.

Also joining Sally and Emma on the walk will be Jackie Rodgers, who started as a volunteer at St James City Farm during lockdown after spending 15 years as press officer for The Everyman Theatre.

Jackie joined St James City Farm as she was struggling with grief and mental health issues following a family tragedy that happened just before the Covid-19 outbreak. Jackie has always loved nature and being outdoors and her daughter, Molly, had completed work experience and also volunteered at the farm for several years, which helped build her skills and confidence and make life-long friends. Jackie joined the farm during furlough and a year later was employed as the volunteer and wellbeing co-ordinator.

The Everyman Theatre hopes to raise a total of £20,000 for the charities via its sponsored walk and collections donated by the audience during its pantomime performances throughout November 2022 - January 2023.

Mark Goucher, CEO of The Everyman Theatre, said: "We are passionate about everything we do at The Everyman, not only on stage, but across our education, community and outreach work. This year our pantomime will support two important organisations working with vulnerable people locally, helping to promote wellbeing and positive mental health.

"We hope that money raised by our sponsored walk will help St James City Farm and Scrubditch Care Farm to continue to provide opportunities and support for vulnerable people across Gloucestershire."

To support The Everyman Theatre's sponsored walk and donate money to St James City Farm and Scrubditch Care Farm, see https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pantomimecharities