“Every step of both walks was worth it because of the difference this charity makes.”

Those were the words of Blue Apple Theatre’s artistic director Richard Conlon who has completed a 100km walk to fundraise for the company’s summer production of Frankenstein.

Richard is no stranger to undertaking epic fundraising feats, including the Paris Marathon and cycling 100 miles. Faced with current limitations, Richard decided to take a long walk to Winchester from his home in Wiltshire, walking constantly for nearly 24 hours from Saturday May 29 to Sunday 30.

He did this in tandem with his son who simultaneously walked from Livingston to Monifieth Beach in Scotland. Richard and Barney both walked 100 kilometres, which is 62 miles.

Richard said: “Like any good drama, there were highs and lows; owls, bats and deer in the night-time woods but also me stumbling over a root and jarring a knee. Every step of both walks was worth it because of the difference this charity makes. People often say to me how rewarding it must be to work for an organisation like Blue Apple, and that’s true – this walk was my secular thanksgiving, my contemporary pilgrimage to acknowledge how lucky I am."

Between them the two charity walks have already raised £2,435 but there is still time for more donations to be given before the fundraiser closes at midday on 7 June 2021.

Blue Apple Theatre’s interpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will be performed live at the Theatre Royal Winchester and also digitally streamed 8-10 July 2021. A retelling of the classic tale we all think we know will be told by a cast with lived-experience of the themes of alienation, otherness and prejudice – issues as relevant today as they were in 1818.

Staging any performance requires lighting, costumes, make-up, technical support and skilled direction, all of which cost money. The production has already received some financial support from the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, The Edward Gostling Foundation and The Douglas Arter Foundation but Blue Apple still needs more to bring the show to the stage.

Details about how to support the appeal can be found at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blue-apple-summer-show-frankenstein.