Sun 14 Aug 2011

The Plaza Cinema in Trinity Street has been collecting for the West Dorset Women’s Refuge since 2005 and has now raised more than £3,000.

Cinemagoers have been putting money in collection tins at the cinema and it has also been selling off old posters and cut-outs for new releases to raise money for the refuge.

Local councillor Molly Rennie, who is chairman of the refuge, said: “They have been doing this for six years now and the money is simply from people putting money in the pot and buying the posters.

“We have had a lot of support from them since they opened and they also give us a pass so we can let four people come to the pictures once a week.

“The girls always say when they come here how welcome they are made to feel. These are all the sorts of things that really make a big difference to us.”

Plaza manager Chris McDonald said the cinema was proud to help the refuge and planned to continue that support in the years to come.

He said: “We are pleased to support the refuge in whatever way we can.

“Our customers are always pleased to support it.”

In December the Plaza also hosted a charity screening of the Voyage of the Dawntreader from the Chronicles of Narnia series, with the proceeds going to the refuge and is hoping to hold similar events in the future.

Coun Rennie said the cinema’s support was an example of the local support the refuge received and she said it does try to acknowledge that generosity when it spends money on trips.

She said: “The community has always been incredibly supportive and we would like to repay the favour and spend as much money as we can locally.

“For us the important thing is the community supports us and you can’t put a measure on that.”

NEWS ARTICLE TAKEN FROM THE DORSET ECHO
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