The Newcastle Gang Show is the oldest Gang Show in the world and is a local charity which, each year, produces a family variety show, performed by Scouts and Guides from, and for, the local community. The aim is to provide young people with an incredible opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and create lasting memories, all supported by their wonderful volunteers.

The performances of recent years have been highly entertaining for the entire community, and this year they were pleased to announce that nearly 100 Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Guides and leaders, ranging in age from 9 years old and upwards, would be joining the show from Newcastle and across Northumberland. Many of the young cast members come from disadvantaged areas and low-income families, and the aim is to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum so that none of them miss out on the experience.

This year, to meet the additional needs of the cast and audience, and to ensure that the show is accessible to all, a sign language interpreter is being provided for the Saturday matinee performance. This along with other significant financial challenges throughout the year has made it difficult to ensure that the quality of the show, so highly anticipated within the community, is not compromised. As a result of these circumstances a petition for financial assistance was received which we were pleased to agree to.