Prize would fund more hospice cinemas, group says

An organisation which has been shortlisted in a national competition has said the £10,000 cash prize would help fund future plans for its cinema rooms in hospices.

Together for Cinema, a community interest community (CIC) based in Great Bookham, Surrey, is one of 10 finalists in the competition run by Selco Builders Warehouse.

The organisation, founded by Ian Morrish 16 years ago, has installed 58 home cinema rooms in children's hospices and other locations across the UK.

Mr Morrish said: "Seeing the delight on kids' faces is really amazing."

Together for Cinema, which acquired CIC status in 2023, was created after Mr Morrish watched a TV programme featuring a holiday home for children with short lives.

Moved by what he had seen, he contacted the organisers to see if there was anything the audio/visual industry could do to help.

Just over a year later, the team created their first cinema room.

The 58 installed so far would have cost more than £1.5m, Mr Morrish said.

In Surrey, cinema rooms have been installed in the Christopher's Shooting Star Children's Hospices in Guildford, the White Lodge Centre in Chertsey, and Cherry Trees in East Clandon.

Mr Morrish said: "It's such a personal thing to me, seeing children and families genuinely relax because we're bringing the cinema experience to their safe place where their medical issues can be dealt with straight away."

The Selco Community Heroes campaign, now in its fifth year, offers charities and community groups the opportunity to benefit from both donated building materials and financial support.

Prizes of £5,000 and £2,500 are also on offer alongside the top prize of £10,000.

Mr Morrish says the top prize would represent "a lot of money" for an organisation like Together for Cinema.

He said: "It would allow us to add those finishing touches to each cinema that really make the difference, things like twinkly lights on the ceiling and extra acoustic panelling."

He said the team had seven installations planned for next year and "those last touches would make all the difference".

The winner of the public vote will be announced in January.

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