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Press
Release issued by Leeds City Council on behalf of Opera North, Leeds
Grand Theatre and Leeds City Council |
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Yorkshire
businesses and individuals have contributed
£1.8 million towards Transformation.
CD Rom created to help inform and raise further monies
£1.8 million has already been raised towards Transformation:
the restoration of Leeds Grand Theatre and the creation of a permanent
home for Opera North. The Transformation Volunteer Fundraising Team
has been created to spearhead the huge fundraising effort, acting
as advocates for the campaign and playing a key role in raising the
money. Its task is to continue to raise the remainder of the £5
million target by the end of 2005 and the team is extremely confident.
Transformation has already received donations from a wide range of
Yorkshire businesses including Yorkshire Post Newspapers and recruitment
company sevenhr. Companies have also donated to the campaign in kind
with contributory costs towards elements such as the fundraising CD
Rom enclosed by New Media Collective and HDC Optical Media Group.
The CD Rom is an evocative presentation of how Transformation will
benefit communities across the whole region. It also has personal
endorsements from the broadcast personality and Yorkshire businessman
Richard Whiteley OBE, and from the Managing Director of Yorkshire
Post Newspapers Chris Green.
Using the CD Rom as an introduction to the project, the Volunteer
Fundraising Team continues to be vigorous, acting individually and
collectively to build relationships and cultivate donors.
A substantial proportion of the £1.8 million has been achieved
through private individual support. Prospective donors are given tours
of the grade II* listed Leeds Grand Theatre and adjacent Assembly
Rooms. They include exclusive viewing of back-stage areas, the fly-tower
and costume departments and these will continue until the closure
of the Theatre at the end of Spring 2005.
The whole £31.5 million project is a partnership between Leeds
City Council, Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera North who are striving
to meet the level of service and creativity demanded by today’s
audiences. The development will bring many benefits in the auditorium
such as improved disabled access, improved sight lines to the stage,
improved seating and a ventilation system. The Assembly Rooms will
give the city a new 350-seater venue and provide a space for in-reach
education work. And next door to the Theatre the first permanent home
will be created for the national opera company for the North of England.
For further information, images and copies of the CD Rom please contact:
Richard Ashton, PR Manager, Opera North – 0113 223 3526
Debbie Hinks, Tour Press Officer, Opera North – 0113 223 3522
Membership of the Transformation Volunteer Fundraising Team:
Michael Beverley Chairman of the board of Opera North
Rodger Booth MA High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire
Terry Bramall Chairman of Bramall & Ogden
Jeremy Burton Supporter of the Transformation project
The Hon. Mrs Diana Dent Supporter of Opera North
Roger Duckworth CEO of Tensar Group
Chris Green Managing Director, Yorkshire Post Newspapers
Guy Harvey Partner, Dickinson Dees Solicitors, Newcastle
Lord Harewood (Earl of Harewood) Founder of Opera North
John Heller CEO Hammonds Direct
Yvonne Lyles Supporter of Opera North
Richard Mantle General Director of Opera North
Ron McMillan Chairman Northern Region, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Geoffrey Potter Chairman of Stonehenge Public Relations
Peter Sparling Retired Senior Partner of Blacks Solicitors
Robin Smith DL Non executive Director of Leeds & Holbeck Building
Society, Chairman of the Northern region of Coutts, Non executive
Director of Town Centre Securities, Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket
Club, Consultant for DLA
Martin vander Weyer Freelance journalist
Richard Whiteley OBE Broadcast personality and Yorkshire businessman
Sir Jack and Lady Whitaker Supporter of Opera North
The Hon. Mrs Angela Widdows Member of Opera North Board |
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