Margate Charity Gala Remembers Joy

Playwright, director and actor Gordon Clarkson is holding a charity gala in Margate this weekend in memory of his wife, Joy.

Joy died almost a year ago from cancer and Gordon is hosting an event in her name to raise money for all the charities that were close to her heart.

The event is from 2.30 pm until 5.00 pm.

Doors open at Margate Winter Gardens at 2.00pm and tickets can be bought for £10 on the door, by ringing 01843 292795, or online on the Margate Winter Gardens website.

The event, called ‘Jumping for Joy’, will donate all the money raised to Macmillan, the Royal Variety Charity, the Royal Theatrical Fund, the Equity Benevolent Fund and Turn2us.

Speaking about the event, Gordon says:  “Had Joy been here, she would have been eager to try to help the charities help others who find themselves in our situation last year, and so it is in her name that her friends and family in the entertainment industry wish to give their time and talent to this event, and what a wonderful tribute to her.

“Some of her beautiful handmade costumes will be worn, and so her legacy will live on for a long time. In the programme notes, we conclude by saying that the show will be like her: fun, light, sometimes poignant but never mawkish.

“The cast and musicians, plus the management and staff of the Winter Gardens, are delighted to be ‘Jumping for Joy’ for the good causes that will benefit."

Joy had worked at the Margate Winter Gardens and the event will feature some of her friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry.

Thanking Gordon for supporting the charity, Namita Harvey, Head of Fundraising at Turn2us, said: “We are so grateful to Gordon for organising this amazing event. It is a wonderful tribute to Joy and the money raised will go towards making people’s lives easier, which is the best tribute of all.”