LOTS of fundraising events are underway in Cwmbran as the theatre nears its target to allow the £100,000 refurbishment of the 1970s building to go ahead.

With only £3,849 left to go, Cwmbran’s Congress Theatre is pulling out all the stops to make sure it reaches its fundraising goal before its August deadline.

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, and so far it has raised £7,451.

Manager Martyn Redwood said they are holding a big raffle and are currently selling tickets for £1.

The first prize is £200 cash with many other prizes including restaurant vouchers and open train tickets.

Barclays Bank has also pledged to match fund the theatre if they can sell 1,000 tickets.

Theatre volunteer, Joyce Liddle, 69, raised £120 in May by holding her own raffle and £95 by hosting a bingo session, which has been added to her previous fundraising effort of £1,428.

Her next bingo session will be held on June 6 at 10am at The Congress Theatre.

She is also hosting a come and buy event at the theatre on June 28, from 10am until 4pm, where people can pick up pre-loved items and clothes.

Donations can be dropped into the theatre.

A sponsored fun walk is also being held on Saturday, July 12. The five mile walk will start from the theatre at 11am and will go around Cwmbran Boating Lake, Llanyrafon Mill fields and back.

Sponsorship forms can be picked up at the theatre.

Mrs Liddle is also willing to take part in fundraisers.

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

The £100,000 will 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.

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