A THEATRE group has had a £1,000 cash boost by an initiative supporting young people.

The London Bus Theatre Company, which works with young children in Braintree, received the money and a training programme from Starbucks Youth Action.

The group, based in Hockley, produced an anti-bullying film titled Angels vs. Bullies, and was given the fundraising initiative so children could go and watch it.

A free trip was arranged for 100 local young people from deprived and low income backgrounds to view the film, followed by group discussions of the anti-bullying themes.

Katherine Austen, project manager at The London Bus Theatre Company, said: “As a part of anti-bullying week last November we screened the film in Cineworld in Braintree and it was done phenomenally well.

“It was very successful considering it was a low budget film, we were pleasantly surprised. It was fantastic.

“Starbucks Youth Action was amazing for us as it allowed more people who may not get a change to go to the cinema to see the film, which was definitely our biggest success yet.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

The money was awarded after the charity, which started off as a drama workshop in schools, applied to the Youth Action Scheme last year.

The film is due to come out on DVD and will be available to schools to watch.