Newcastle Theatre Royal aims to raise £5,000 in one week in a drive to make live theatre accessible to more young people across the North East.

The theatre is joining forces with Big Give’s #ChristmasChallenge 2025, the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign, to boost funds for its new Showtime Shuttle initiative to provide schools with transport and remove the barriers of travel costs.

The live campaign will run from 12 noon, Tuesday, December 2 to Tuesday, December 9. Supporters’ donations will be match-funded thanks to generous pledges by Friends of Newcastle Theatre Royal, two individual donors and Big Give champions, The Reed Foundation.

A recent survey found that 37% of local schools identified cost and travel logistics as the biggest hurdles to theatre visits - meaning fewer young people are accessing the cultural experiences that support emotional development and vital life skills.

Reaching the £5,000 target will support 350 young people, particularly from high pupil premium