M6 Theatre performances raises £300 for Pakistan Floods Appeal

The M6 Theatre group has raised over £300 for DEC's Pakistan Floods Appeal after donating the audience contributions from its public performances of Sunflowers and Sheds on 8 October.

M6 decided to support the cause after local actor and filmmaker Zafar Iqbal last month approached the local theatre group to use their space for show to raise funds for the victims of the flooding.

Because it was short notice he couldn’t book the theatre for his required date, and couldn’t change the date due to other commitments.

However, M6 – keen to support the cause – offered to contribute the donations received from two performances on Saturday 8 October to DEC’s Pakistan Flood Appeal.

Zafar said: “The next bit in the email just melted my heart and got me emotional, as M6’s managing director and CEO Debs Palmer said, ‘We are very keen to support this good cause and would like to contribute the donations we receive from audiences attending the public performances of Sunflowers and Sheds at M6 Studio on Saturday 8 Oct at 1.30 and 3.30pm to the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. 

“‘You would be most welcome to share information about and attend the public performances of Sunflowers and Sheds. We will ensure that audience members are aware we are collecting on behalf of Pakistan Flood Relief and all donations we receive will be given to that good cause’.

“Isn’t this a beautiful gesture by M6?

“I attended their show and I was very happy to see a notice displayed at the M6 entrance saying that ‘All proceeds from today’s shows will be donated to DEC's Pakistan Floods Appeal’.

In total, M6 raised £330.09 for the flood victims, and Zafar’s last production in September raised £1,500 for the same cause.

Zafar said: “I would like to thank everyone for their support and for coming out to help out people in need.

“I feel blessed that I tried to help people in need and other people showed their full support to me too by going out of their way to help the cause.

“This is a proud moment for people of Rochdale, a great sign of diversity, unity and it goes to show, when we want to help one another, then race, colour or gender means nothing.”

He added: “If you get a chance, then do watch the play itself as it’s on a national tour. It’s brilliant, the set-up is great, both actors are fantastic, beautiful story, it’s emotional, funny and very current.

“I also would encourage people to go check out M6 as it's an amazing set up in our town.”