Starry show helps Shrewsbury explosion victim Kiley McDonnell
Monday 18th October 2010, 10:21AM BST.
Soap stars turned out in Shrewsbury to help ensure a benefit show for a performer who was left paralysed after the town’s explosion was a big success.
Tickets for the fundraiser in aid of panto star Kiley McDonnell sold out in record time and the event was today hailed as a “terrific night”. The performance of Kiley’s Big Night Out at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, saw stars take to the stage last night including Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh and former Emmerdale bad boy Matt Healy.
Mr McDonnell, who was in Shrewsbury to star in the Theatre Severn production of Peter Pan when he was injured in the explosion at the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road on January 3, was also part of last night’s show in a performance including singers, comedians and dancers.
The soap stars were joined on stage by youngsters from the Viv Kelly School of Dance and Theatre and BBC Radio Shropshire Breakfast presenter Eric Smith. Mr Smith today said: “It was a terrific night, just fabulous. Everyone was on top form and there was a great atmosphere backstage.
“It was the first time I’d seen Kiley since the blast. He has a remarkably optimistic attitude. He is also very grateful to the RSH and Stoke Mandeville Hospital and there were doctors and nurses in the audience who had treated him.
“He’s got no firm plans for his future but hasn’t ruled out a return to acting.”
A collection was made during the performance for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Mr McDonnell was undergoing rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire this year, when his family confirmed he had been told he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
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What a fantastic night we had last night at Kileys Big Night Out…..in fact my sides are still aching today from laughing so hard! Every single person involved in the organisation of such a FANTASTIC show should feel tremendous pride at what turned out to be one of the best variety shows I have ever witnessed….and the reception Kiley himself received was enough to move even the hardest of hearts! I cannot say enough just how proud me and my mum were to be part of such an important night for a truly great cause.
Karen Nicholson, Copthorne.
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What a fantastic night we loved every minute
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The show was great, seriously funny people.
Kim Marsh was good, but the star of the show was Kiley. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong person. These things don’t happen in Shrewsbury!!!
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