Save Hackney Empire

We are pleased to report that Forest School community has raised over £7,000 in recent weeks to help support and save Hackney Empire.

We want to do everything we can to support the Hackney Empire and help it to survive the decimation of the Arts due to the pandemic. To lose this beautiful old theatre would be to make East London a little ‘less’ and take away a treasure that has not only brought joy to many generations of Londoners, but played its part in developing new talent and supporting many careers along the way. Our ongoing commitment to the educational value of Hackney Empire’s outreach programme (Creative Futures) for young people is a particular concern and a key reason to keep the Hackney Empire up and running. Educational opportunities for other young people in neighbouring communities has never been more important.

Our response has been three-fold.

A small staff team from Forest School got their walking shoes on and walked a sponsored theatre-a-thon on Saturday 17th October. The route was a half marathon distance from the Globe on the Southbank to the Hackney Empire, stopping at each of the 65 theatres along the way.

We also raised funds through a senior school non-uniform day and delighted many pupils with a Krispy Kreme doughnut fundraising sale.

Thank you to everyone who supported the activities – particularly to those who walked or wore their own clothes or devoured significant numbers of doughnuts!

We are still welcoming donations to help support and save Hackney Empire – please follow this link https://uk.gofundme.com/f/theatreathon-for-creative-futures