National Theatre stages supports for Twickenham charity (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

National Theatre stages supports for Twickenham charity

1:26pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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The Roy Kinnear Foundation is on an appropriately theatrical fundraising mission to raise cash to renovate its residential home for disabled young people and adults, writes Will Gore.

Roy Kinnear House, named after the actor who died in 1988, provides its eight residents with a relaxed domestic environment and independence, while providing around-the-clock nursing care and emotional support.

The house, in Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, and foundation was set up by Kinnear’s widow (and fellow actor), Carmel, after her eldest daughter Karina, who is severely disabled, finished her schooling and Carmel drew a blank in her search for an appropriate residential home.

Although the house, which opened its doors in 2000, is funded by the area health authority and social services, in order for important refurbishments to be made extra fundraising is vital and the latest effort will be a family affair.

Rory Kinnear, Carmel and Roy’s son who has followed his parents into acting, is playing the lead in Hamlet at the National Theatre from September 30, and on October 26 there will be a gala performance of the play to raise funds for the foundation.

The charity is looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor the event.

Carmel said: “We have got eight people in the house but it is getting tight in the main domestic areas, as they are all in wheelchairs and there are one-to-one carers there as well.

“We really need to change the inside of the house – some of the bathrooms need doing up, a nurse’s station is needed and proper air conditioning needs installing – but we have to raise money to do all of these things.”

In the past, Carmel has called on her friends and contacts from the world of entertainment, including Dame Judi Dench and Victoria Wood, to perform at benefit concerts, but she is delighted that this time she doesn’t have a show to organise.

She said: “With Rory playing Hamlet it means we haven’t had to put a show together ourselves.

“Will Shakespeare did quite a good job on the script and we are all delighted that the National have allowed us to do the gala night.”

For more information about the gala performance of Hamlet, and if you are keen to sponsor the event, contact Carmel Kinnear by emailing carmel.kinnear@ btinternet.com.