The event was supporting St Luke’s Hospice and the Mary Budding Trust, an organisation which supports children with additional needs, aged eleven or under, living within Okehampton, Tavistock and surrounding villages, by providing grants and equipment.
St Luke’s had four representatives out with buckets, including lymphedema therapist Jo Vella and her daughter. On the day, they collected £937.15 for the charity.
Nina Wearne, St Luke’s representative, said: ‘It was a really successful day for us charity-wise, plus it was really wonderful to be part of such a great day for the town of Tavistock. On top of the money collected in the buckets, our St Luke’s shop did really well on Good Friday and was buzzing throughout the day.’
It was an even more successful day for the Mary Budding Trust, whose bucket shakers managed to raise a fantastic £1,426.73 — and a ten cent coin — during the play.
Trustee Robin Hill said: ‘It was a really fantastic day, to be honest. There was a lovely atmosphere and everyone in the crowd was so kind and generous to help us reach such a fantastic total.
‘From the Mary Budding Trust’s point of view, it was fantastic and we are so pleased to have been supported by the organisers of The Tavistock Passion, so thanks to them for their support.’
More than 1,700 people turned out to Tavistock town centre on Good Friday to watch The Tavistock Passion, a community play telling the story of the first Easter.
The show saw the crowds follow open air scenes set against the backdrop of the town hall, guildhall and parish church.
Producer Steven Martin said he was overwhelmed by the response to the play, with anywhere between 1,700 and 2,000 people turning out to watch the play — many more than expected.