Two Maldon groups have raised thousands of pounds for a local charity which helps people with life-limiting conditions.

The Maldon Drama Group and Maldon Orchestra handed over £3,054.15 to the David Randall Foundation (DRF) after two sell-out performances.

The cheque handover took place at the West Maldon Community Centre in Sunbury Way.

The funds were raised after two sold-out performances of Cable Street Blues at Plume Academy, in Fambridge Road, in October.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Donation - Left to right: Linda Adair Secretary of Maldon Drama Group, Neil Fisher, Andrew Barnes Treasurer of DRF, Sue Randall from DRF , Ron Bewers, Musical Director of Maldon Orchestra, and Anne Bellett Chair of Maldon OrchestraDonation - Left to right: Linda Adair Secretary of Maldon Drama Group, Neil Fisher, Andrew Barnes Treasurer of DRF, Sue Randall from DRF , Ron Bewers, Musical Director of Maldon Orchestra, and Anne Bellett Chair of Maldon Orchestra (Image: Maldon Drama Group)

All profits from tickets sold went to the foundation which is a volunteer-run organisation helping people with life-limiting illnesses to enjoy life to the full, for as long as possible.

Maldon Drama Group member and Castle Street Blues writer Neil Fisher is thrilled that both Maldon groups could raise the money for the charity.

He said: “They do incredible work and I know the money will be put to good use.

"I feel delighted we have been able to help raise such a large sum of money for them.

"It was also great to see what I had written brought to life - I was pleased with it.

"People were moved by the story, and I’m really grateful to both groups for their hard work on it.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Play - Nikita Eve-Mansfield as the female lead Rose, and Barry Taylor as the male lead Samuel MatusevitchPlay - Nikita Eve-Mansfield as the female lead Rose, and Barry Taylor as the male lead Samuel Matusevitch (Image: David Weller)

“A big thank you to Ron Bewers the musical director and Belinda Allen at the Maldon Orchestra as well - they arranged the music,

“I gave them the scenes and moods I wanted and that is very much how they arranged it.”

About 50 amateur musicians, actors, crew and a cast ranging from eight years old to 80 took part in bringing the production to life, performing to 400 people over the two days.

Written in 2019, Cable Street Blues is a dramatic and musical experience which follows a young Jewish boy born in 1896, the same day as Oswald Mosley, the founder of fascist group the Blackshirts.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Performance - Curtain call at the end of Cable Street BluesPerformance - Curtain call at the end of Cable Street Blues (Image: David Weller)

The story tracks the boy up to 1936 when the black shirts marched through east London, and the local Jewish community rose up in defiance.

At its core, the show’s message is about how people should get on despite their differences.