King Rat Kaplan Kaye told the Young Performers and 'Phoenix Fund' organisers:

"The Water Rats are proud to be behind the 'Phoenix Fund' because, although we aim to help those in our business who have fallen on hard times, we also like to promote and help new talent and fresh ideas. A community theatre in Long Eaton will give the opportunity to many youngsters (of all ages!) to take part in all sorts of exciting and innovative events.

Even if they don't go on to work professionally in our business - just being involved in some way, be it back stage, front of house, lighting, sound, building scenery or creating costumes or performing - they will take something from their experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Therefore the Grand Order of Water Rats welcome and support the hard work being put in by all the participants concerned with the 'Phoenix Fund' and hope, by putting our name behind the venture, we can help, in some small way, to create an ongoing home for the arts in this area."

Kaplan Kaye added: "Indeed, the show we helped organise last year at Trent College, in which the Young Performers took part, proves what can be done. Not only in raising money for the cause but by bringing people together to have a great night out and be part of the overall scheme.

Let's face it - the terrible events we read of everyday in the world and in our country in particular - means all of us in the entertainment industry need to bring a little bit of hope and sunshine into everybody's lives. So here's to the 'Phoenix Fund' and let us all work to help create a supurb space for the arts in Long Eaton."

Leon Wade said how proud he had been of the performance by the Young Performers and how privileged the 'Phoenix Fund' was to have the continued support of the Water Rats. "We are particularly excited because Kaplan said he had spoken to Tim Healy recently who said he was looking forward to returning to Long Eaton on Saturday 20th October to take part on stage with the Young Performers in order to recreate the role of Dad he played on the London Stage in Billy Elliott. We cannot thank Kaplan enough for taking time to come up from London to support us at this crucial stage in our plans."

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