Free Nurse Nellie! Lancaster Footlights Dame lands behind bars for St John’s Hospice!
Oh no, she hasn’t! Oh yes, she has! Our very own Nurse Nellie Nickerlastic has been caught red-handed and thrown in the slammer at Lancaster Castle, and we need your help to get her out!
The much-loved Lancaster Footlights Dame has found herself in a spot of bother as part of St John’s Hospice Jail & Bail 2026, and she needs to raise £999 in bail money to secure her freedom and make it back to Lancaster Grand Theatre in time for this year’s family pantomime, Robin Hood, opening on 28 November.
Nellie might be behind bars, but we’re determined to get her back where she belongs: on the Grand Theatre stage!
Help us #FreeNurseNellie!
Nurse Nellie needs your support to raise the £999 required to pay the jailer and secure her release. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us get one step closer to bringing our favourite Dame home.
All funds raised through the Jail & Bail challenge will support the incredible work of St John’s Hospice, helping the charity continue its vital work supporting patients and their loved ones across our local community.
You can help Nellie escape by donating online through her fundraising page:
Donate Here
You can also keep an eye out for donation points around Lancaster Grand Theatre the next time you visit. Every little bit helps, and we’re counting on our wonderful Lancaster community to rally around Nellie!
Will she be back in time for panto?
With the bail set and the clock ticking, we need to get Nurse Nellie sprung before the curtain rises on Robin Hood!
This year’s Lancaster Footlights family pantomime promises all the usual festive fun, with plenty of laughs, audience participation, colourful characters and panto mischief. But it simply wouldn’t be the same without our very own Nurse Nellie Nickerlastic!
We’ll be keeping you updated on Nellie’s progress, revealing who her fellow cellmates are and sharing more ways you can help her raise the money she needs.
So, come on, Lancaster! Let’s dig deep, support St John’s Hospice and get Nellie back on stage where she belongs.
Donate today, spread the word and help us #FreeNurseNellie!
And if you haven’t booked your tickets for Robin Hood yet, what are you waiting for, Merry Men and Women?
Robin Hood runs at Lancaster Grand Theatre from 28 November to 28 December 2026.
Visit the Lancaster Grand Theatre website to book your tickets and join us for a festive family adventure.
