Replace the Show Costume Money

Aim

Conman took our theatre school's costume money... Please help if you can.

In April I took 18 of my amazing students to perform in the West End, at Her Majesty's Theatre.  I booked and paid in full for a coach which didn't arrive. We were rescued on the day by another amazing coach company, but obviously I had to pay again for that. The original Coach company it turns out have done this before. They promised they would refund me but havent. I have tried pursuing through the county courts but a) the director is trying to strike off the company and b) every address (both home and business) are fake. I have tried contacting Trading Standards, the Police, Companies House, the bank, and every watchdog type show that exists to try and get some help in getting my money back.  It sounds like madness, but no-one can help? The Director of this company has done this many times before.  He takes peoples money, closes the company and then starts up again using a different trading name.  He is still trading now, today as we speak.  He also used be a Bournemouth Councillor.  This whole debacle has given me many many sleepless nights.  I absolutely love running my Theatre School and the rewards of working with these amazing children are endless.

The extra coach I had to pay for came from my own personal money with which I personally fund the costumes for our small children's Theatre Arts school annual show in July. In show term, I take no salary at all from the school so that I can fund this annual event as I feel it is so important for the children to perform to their friends and family  in full costume,  on a professional stage at least once a year.  I feel it is such an important thing to do.

I don't like to charge parents for costumes, as that is not my policy and also, I know that some parents just can't afford it.

I am just wondering if we can at all raise some funds to help towards this year's show costs.

Thank you so much for reading and considering us.

Peta Moffitt - Principal

Stagecoach Bournemouth

This project successfully funded on 6th June 2016