A LONG-STANDING Rayleigh nightclub has donated thousands of pounds from a £1 smoking wristband scheme to help an inclusive theatre group celebrate its 20th anniversary. 

The Pink Toothbrush, in Rayleigh High Street, stepped in to help the Mushroom Theatre Group celebrate its anniversary in style at the Palace Theatre on Sunday - headlined by West End star Lee Mead and Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin. 

The nightclub, which celebrated its own 40th anniversary this year, donated £5,300 to cover the hiring fees for the night, allowing the theatre group, which operates across south Essex, to rake in even greater profits from the sold-out night. 

This was paid for from a scheme at The Pink Toothbrush where clubbers pay £1 for a wristband to go outside for a smoke. 

Rehearsals - Rehearsals for the sell-out show on Sunday Rehearsals - Rehearsals for the sell-out show on Sunday (Image: Stuart Whiffen)Pink Tootbrush owner, Charley Horne, said: "We covered the hire cost for the theatre to attain all ticket profits, so usually they hire and sell tickets and whatever is left is the profit.

"The theatre looks after lots of people, we like what they do and they look after young people and people with additional needs which we feel is commendable.

"The £5,300 comes from what we do to control smoking access, we give people a smoking band and they can go outside, all profits go to charity."

Supporters - Organiser Penni Bubb, Charley Horne, Lee Mead and Rayleigh councillor Sarah-Jane Page Supporters - Organiser Penni Bubb, Charley Horne, Lee Mead and Rayleigh councillor Sarah-Jane Page (Image: Charley Horne)

The theatre show on Sunday marked 20 years of the Mushroom Theatre Group "celebrating difference", and featured children and adults putting on different acts and dancing alongside performances from both headliners. 

Charley added: "The show had some really great acts, Lee performed and there was some wonderful dancing about anxiety and snippets choreographed, it was great and it sold out.

"This has made a big difference and I am glad it did, for a local charity for local kids that is good for Rayleigh." 

Headliner Lee Mead is famous for his role as Joseph in the 2007 revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after appearing on BBC TV Show Any Dream Will Do. He has been a constant supporter of the theatre group.

Manager and promoter, Stuart Whiffen added: "We have got some people who seem confused to go outside and smoke a cigarette they have to pay a pound, but we don't earn that money, this is all for charity.

"Everyone who has given that pound can see that this is what it has done."