THE Courtyard's Christmas Appeal has raised £12,500 during the box office record breaking run of Peter Pan.

Funds will go towards The Courtyard's 20th Anniversary Appeal which aims to raise £70,000 by August this year.

Funds for the appeal were raised in several different ways, including through bucket collections run by the cast after performances, an online auction and guest night raffle.

Money raised will help The Courtyard to continue to deliver its community arts projects for people living with dementia and disadvantaged young people as well as funding much needed improvements to the building itself.

"It's fantastic that panto audiences have supported us more than ever, via the festive bucket collections, especially when you consider the current uncertain economic climate," says chief executive and artistic director Ian Archer. "This year's appeal raised almost 20% more than last year which reflects the fact we've just achieved our best ever box office sales for pantomime… something to be very proud of in our 20th anniversary year!"

The Courtyard team would like to thank everyone who donated towards this year's Christmas appeal, and the casts of Peter Pan and Snow White for doing daily bucket collections.

The Courtyard will be running another Christmas Appeal from late November during its next pantomime, Cinderella.

For more information about The Courtyard's I Heart CY Appeal visit courtyard.org.uk/iheartcy