CELEBRITIES jumped on the Rockinghorse 50th anniversary bus to the Theatre Royal Brighton to help launch a special show.

For one night only, the theatre is playing host to a gala variety performance celebrating 50 years of the children’s charity and raising money for Sussex Giving For Sussex Charities.

Jan Hunt, who appeared in TV series Crackerjack, X-Factor’s Sam Callahan and up and coming ventriloquist Max Fulham were greeted by theatre manager John Baldock and Rockinghorse chief Ryan Heals

Mr Heal said: “This show is a wonderful and unique opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate our anniversary, have a great evening and raise much-needed funds for our appeal.

“The money raised will make a huge difference to sick children across Sussex.”

The show is directed by West End and touring theatre director and choreographer Carole Todd and produced by David Bell and Rob Reaks.

It is being held on Sunday, September 24, and is sponsored by businesses including Brighton and Hove Buses.

It is being hosted by Hilary O’Neil and will also star the UK’s leading female impersonator Ceri Dupree and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Eva Iglesias.

A seven-piece live band will be directed by West End musical director Marc McBride.

Now in its 50th year, Rockinghorse launched an anniversary appeal to provide £500,000 worth of funding split between ten children’s centres and paediatric services in Sussex.

Fundraising events have taken place throughout Sussex this year and culminate in the gala performance followed by a fundraising ball in October at The Grand hotel in Brighton.

Rockinghorse is a Brighton-based charity set up in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann who recognised there was a need for additional resources to improve healthcare services for sick children and babies.

Rockinghors is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and raises money for life-saving and cutting-edge medical equipment.