Since 1990 GAPS has supported 45 charities in the Sussex and Surrey area and raised over £299,000. We will update you shortly with how much the 2010 pantomime raised.

This year's charity is:

The charity for 2010 is the Mercury FM Charity Appeal

For 25 years, Mercury FM's listeners have raised over £1.5 million for local causes through the Mercury FM Charity Appeal. Money is awarded to local causes across the stations transmission area once a year by board of trustees, one of which will be a member of the GAPS team.

The whole point of the Mercury FM Charity appeal, is the money raised stays locally. We aim to support smaller charities and voluntary groups who are desparate for financial help. We do help larger causes, but we try to help as many groups as possible with funding.

Past Charities and some of the good causes:

Mother Goose, 2009

Jigsaw School - Pre-school and primary Children with Autism. The money raised went towards the new bursary Scheme for families who failed in obtaining funding from their local education authority.

The Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre - Holistic support to cancer patients and their families including information, complimentary therapies, councelling and support groups - all accessible to everyone at no charge. The money raised went towards the restructure and resource more fully their information area, including IT facility for patients and their families.

National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease - Help and support people who have Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease and their families. The money raised went towards a new scheme of making available 'can't wait cards' and radar keys (for disabled toilets), to help make the lives of those suffering more normal and enable those who feel unable to leave their homes to feel more comfortable to go about normal daily activities.