MEMBERS of a Chester- and Wrexham-based theatre company enjoyed a tasty lunchtime treat recently in aid of a local Hospice.

Community theatre company Tip Top Productions was delighted to lend support to an event organised by Tip Top member Sally Dillon at The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, with proceeds going to support the work of Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.

Sally, along with several friends from Tip Top, organised and produced some tasty treats for a 'soup and puds' lunch at the theatre, which raised £272 as part of her fundraising activities for the Hospice ahead of taking on the 2019 Vietnam to Cambodia Cycling Challenge later this year.

Members and friends of the theatre company tucked in to delicious homemade soup, chilli con carne and a variety of cakes and puddings all made members of Tip Top, as well as taking part in a raffle with all the prizes on the day having been donated by those attending the event.

Originally from Wrexham but now residing in Handbridge, Chester with her husband Peter and son Luke, Mrs Dillon is one of 22 riders who have signed up to take part in the Nightingale House Hospice Cycling Challenge 2019.

The riders will be cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia between November 16-26.

The challenge will see the riders cycling a total of 383km from the bustling atmosphere of Ho Cho Minh City in Vietnam through the Mekong Delta and on to Siem Riep and the tranquility of the famous temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia before returning to the UK.

Speaking about the cycle challenge, Sally said: "I decided to take on this challenge as the work done by hospices isn't just end of life care, they provide spiritual support, family support and advice, carer support, and at some point in our lives we may all need the help of a hospice.

"To take part in the cycle ride with 21 others is a challenge in itself, so why not raise money for a hospice at the same time?"

One of those joining Sally on the cycle ride will be fellow Tip Top member and the fundraising manager at Nightingale House Hospice, Delyth Underwood from Wrexham.

Delyth said: “Nightingale House is a special place. The Hospice provides palliative care for adults with life limiting illnesses. It costs just over £3million to run our hospice - £8,382 every day.

"We receive 20 per cent in statutory funding and need to find the rest ourselves – around £2.4 million every year.

"Most of the cyclists taking part in the Vietnam to Cambodia cycling challenge have self-funded and are holding a number of events throughout the year to help raise much-needed funds for our Hospice.

"Sally’s 'Soup and Puds' event at The Forum Studio Theatre was a great success and I’d like to thank everyone who came and supported us - it was a lovely way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon and we are grateful to members of Tip Top Productions for lending their support to the event.”

Among those supporting the fundraising event at the theatre were Sam Hughes-Lloyd and Kath Hunt, who have also signed up to take part in the cycle challenge.

The chairman of Tip Top Productions, Brian Fray, added: “We were delighted to lend our support to Sally’s lunch in aid of Nightingale House Hospice, it was great to see so many people enjoying the wonderful food and it was a very pleasant way to get together and raise funds for a very good cause."

Further details about the 2019 Cycling Challenge and the work of Nightingale House Hospice can be found at www.nightingalehouse.co.uk while full details of Tip Top Productions, all upcoming shows at The Forum Studio Theatre and how to get involved can be found at www.chestertheatre.co.uk.