An ex-TV producer has raised £7.5k for Hampton Hill Theatre by walking 10km-a-day in August. 

Nigel Cole, non-executive member Teddington Theatre Club (TCC), started his "spur of the moment" walkathon to support Hampton Hill Theatre's financial difficulties.

 "It was about putting my money where my mouth was," Cole said. "We all need to become fundraisers." 

After finishing his last walk, Cole was welcomed at the theatre by supporters. (Photo: Facebook/Hampton Hill Theatre)

 Finishing his last walk on 31 August at the theatre, Cole and Freddy the dog was welcomed by a party of fellow volunteers with a rosette and a red ribbon to cross.

Cole said he did his lengthy walk in the morning around the parameter of Bushy Park, or by the River Crane.

Cole tracked his progress using Strava. (Photo: Nigel Cole)

"Freddy could have gone for another good 10k every day," Cole said. "Unlike my good self."

Freddy enjoying the 10km walk around Bushy Park every day. (Photo: Nigel Cole)

The proceeds will go directly back into the theatre's reserves pot for keeping up with bills after the 25-year-old theatre as it faced challenges with roof repairs, fire safety systems, air-con. 

The theatre seats approximate 200 people. Only 25 years old, it boasts a modern stage with extensive facilities such as a large wings and main foyer, as well as a 50-seater studio. 

The theatre has no paid staff; from the bartenders to the stewards, the sound engineers and the backstage technicians, everyone is working on a voluntary basis.

The theatre was purpose built for Teddington Theatre Club and opened in 1999. It was built through volunteer member contributions, national lottery funding and the Hampton fund.  

Hampton Hill Theatre undergoing roof renovation in July. (Photo: Hampton Hill Theatre/Facebook)

Fundraising for the future

Speaking of his achievement, Cole said the walkathon "personalised the campaign" as opposed to the theatre asking for support. 

He added: "It enabled me to reach an audience through my social media contacts through friends and former colleagues from years gone by with no connection to the theatre who have contributed and sent goodwill messages."

Cole said fundraising through gofund.me "bring[s] an online community to support something that is real world thing, bricks and mortar". 

Launching into its next project, TCC has submitted a team for Twickenham Rotary Club's charity a swim-a-thon; the hour-long swimming relay will be held at Teddington Pool on 17 September. 

Lara Parker, TTC member and one third of the swimming team, said: "Nigel has set the bar high for fundraising."

Looking forward and casting the net wider, Cole said throughout Hampton Hill Theatre's 25th anniversary year of the building he would like to have "a rolling crowd funder, something different every month."

He added: "Volunteers [can] take it upon themselves to set something up, run it and get sponsors in, selling stuff they don't need any more on eBay and the proceeds will go towards the theatre, or we might hold a dance-a-thon." 

The theatre's auditorium is used by Teddington Theatre Club, as well as other theatre groups and communties. (Photo: Hampton Hill Theatre)

Hampton Hill Theatre is also hosting a screening of Mamma Mia as an end-of-summer fundraiser at 7:30pm Saturday 9 September. 

Two major gala events for Hampton Hill Theatre's 25th birthday will be held 9 June and 15 June 2024.