A PENSIONER is looking for wacky suggestions on how she can help Cwmbran’s Congress Theatre reach its fundraising goal.

Joyce Lidde, 69, has been a volunteer at the theatre for two years and is raising funds to allow the £100,000 refurbishment of the 1970s building to go ahead.

With successful bids of £50,000 from The Arts Council of Wales, £50,000 from the Community Economic Development Programme and £10,000 from The Cwmbran Trust, the dream is a step closer.

But, in order for the theatre to be given the grants, the theatre needs to raise £11,000 independently.

The theatre has raised £6,735, so Mrs Liddle wants to do all that she can to push up the total.

She said: “I have been holding prize bingo and raffles to help raise funds but now I also want people to suggest fundraisers for me to take part in.

“Local companies could sponsor me to work for them for the day- I am up for most things.”

So far, Mrs Liddle has raised £1,428 from raffles, held since October on show nights at the theatre, and £70 from one session of bingo.

She said: “We should keep it open not only for the community but for the many youngsters who use it. There are 120 youngsters in the youth theatre and it’s great to see them grow in confidence.”

At the launch of the appeal in August, the theatre’s manager, Martyn Redwood, explained that £100,000 was required to refurbish the auditorium, foyer, toilets and lounge.

The most expensive part of the refurbishment will be new seating for the auditorium that will cost £67,600.

The foyer refurbishment will cost £7,800, new toilets will cost £12,800, while to spruce up the lounge and bar it will cost £16,800.

The next session of prize bingo will take place on Friday, May 2, at 10am at The Congress Theatre and a clothes sale will be held there on June 28.

To donate prizes for the bingo sessions or good quality clothes for the sale, simply drop them into the theatre.

For more information, or to suggest a fundraising idea for Mrs Liddle, contact the theatre on 01633 868239.