ST HELENS Theatre Royal is stepping up to support Liverpool's Zoe's Place baby hospice with a special fundraising performance.

The theatre plans to donate £15 from every ticket sold for its matinee of half-term Sleeping Beauty, which takes on October 29 at 1pm.

This, combined with a bucket collection at the event, could raise up to £10,500 for the hospice.

Zoe's Place, one of only three UK hospices specialising in the care of babies and children under five with severe conditions, is at risk of closure due to lease expiration and rising construction costs for a new facility.

The hospice, founded in 1995, includes a state-of-the-art sensory room, hydrotherapy pool, soft play area, outdoor play area and garden, and a special bereavement suite for overnight family stays.

Despite their efforts, the lease on their current site is set to expire in 2025, and delays in planning permission for a new facility, coupled with escalating construction costs, have placed the hospice in jeopardy.

St Helens Theatre Royal is stepping up (Image: David Munn) The hospice announced earlier this month that it could face closure by the end of the year unless £5 million is raised within 30 days to fund a new building.

Chantelle Nolan, panto director and St Helens Theatre manager, said: "As soon as we heard the terrible news about Zoe's Place, we knew we wanted to do something to help secure the future of what is a vitally important resource for young children and their families in the North West.

"We're really delighted to be able to pledge £15 from each ticket that is, or has already been, sold for the matinee on October 29.

"Knowing how loyal our wonderful panto audiences are, and the generosity of St Helens people, I'm certain that we're going to raise a lot of money for this worthiest of causes.

"And of course, I can also guarantee everyone a brilliant time.

"Sleeping Beauty is one of our best-loved pantos and we have a fantastic cast who are ready to cast a spell over audiences young and old this half term."

The panto, written by Liam Mellor, directed by Chantelle Nolan, with choreography by Nazene Langfield, promises a 'spellbinding' performance for all ages.