Our Fundraising Queen - Judith Day

Judith Day has been with the company for 28 years, producing pantomimes, painting scenery, making props, joining in on-stage and more impressively organising nearly all of our fundraisers!

From car treasure hunts, to concerts, to beetle drives, to dog shows, to cream teas, Judith really is our Fundraising Queen!

Let's start with an easy one! How did you first get into The Wight Strollers?

'I had retired from Ryde Carnival when myself and my husband had bumped into Jose Wellspring in Ryde High Street in 1992. She asked if John and I were interested in doing any publicity for The Wight Strollers and we immediately said yes. That's where it all started.'

And when did you first make your debut on-stage?

'I didn't start treading the boards until 1995, which was Crispian and the Magic Sword. That's when I first ever sung!'

Amazing! - is there a particular proudest moment? 

'Well.. I just love the strollers and we have come so far from our pantomimes. And I think to actually perform Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was one of the highlights. Another was definitely Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I just absolutely loved that. It's something to be so proud of.'



Following on from that, is there a favourite pantomime that you love being involved with?

'I enjoy all the fun that goes into the pantomimes, but a real favourite has to be Cinderella. It's so magical and a classic fairytale. Definitely one for all the family.'


Great choice! I know you've shared the stage with every one of your three granddaughter's, what makes that so special?

'Very proud. Although I've never wanted them to do it because I'm in it, I am very proud of all three for giving it a go and definitely proving good at it!'


As one of our prop-extraordinaire's - is there a prop you found challenging?

'Oh yes! When we did Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2002 , I had this vision of all the little animals to be based upon Beatrix Potter. I had this mad brain that I would paper mâché and make and paint these animals heads! Geoff (Cox) helped me too and we did a frog, a hedgehog, a rabbit and many more. It was just wonderful! I love a challenge!'

Continuing on from props, what does a 'typical Sunday' look like for you during pantomime season?

'Very hectic! I try to get to the scenery store at 9:30am on a Sunday and help paint and build scenery, make props and do whatever needs doing. I then pop home for a quick cuppa and then go and watch the dance rehearsals, which I enjoy greatly. I just love to get involved with all aspects of the Strollers.'

Fundraising is at the heart of what you do - where do those incredible, yet slightly crazy, ideas come from?

'What I try and do when I think of these ideas is to invite people who aren't part of Strollers. Although Strollers come and support them, which is wonderful, it brings a whole different group to contribute to our cause and have fun with it! For example, when I have a dog show, it brings other people into the family that is Strollers. The whole idea is to support Strollers.'

Wow! What inspires you to fundraise?

'It's really to try and help some of the costs, which in turn boosts up how much we can give away to our charities. Which means we don't have to ask our brilliant members for too much money, as we all pay for our costumes anyway. It creates a bit of money in the bank account if we wanted to have something special, like our wonderful 40th Anniversary finale.' 

 To end our questions, why are you so passionate about The Wight Strollers?

'Because of the people. We are all in it for the same cause, we are like an extended family. It is something special. When new members have joined us and every single member has stayed it really shows what we are like as a group. It's all so worthwhile!' 

What a brilliant interview, and thank you so much Judith for all you do and have done for The Wight Strollers. An inspiration to all and a well-loved member of the company. Again, thank you!