Express & Star

Actors take to the stage for production of campaign to tackle flu

Actors from a theatre company in Wolverhampton have dressed up to bring a children's book to life.

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The production saw the heroes – the nurse (Fran Richards), Ani (April Hudson) and Daniel (Dominic Thompson) – take on the germs.

Performers from Gazebo Theatre took to the stage at Molineux for an adaption of the Flu Fighters – a book aimed to promote ways of tackling the illness.

Fran Richards played the nurse, while April Hudson played Ani and Dominic Thompson played Daniel – three characters who aim to stop the germs.

The three characters recalled their past encounters with Chilly, Achy and Snotty from the Planet Bogey.

More than 250 pupils from Oak Meadow, Long Knowle, St Andrews and Woodfield primary schools were given free books.

And plans are now being drawn up to take the stage production into a number of schools in the city.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "This was a fabulous production which was both exciting and educational, and really got over to its audience the importance of having their free flu vaccination this winter.

Actors Fran Richards, April Hudson and Daniel, with director of public health John Denley, Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, CCG accountable officer Dr Helen Hibbs and CCG group chair Dr Salma Reehana

“The children really loved it and we hope they went back to their classrooms and shared what they've learned with their friends and family.

"We are now keen to take this production into more primary and junior schools over the coming weeks to spread the message far and wide."

Free copies of 2019s story, the Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, will be distributed to all infant, junior and primary school-aged children in the city.

Parental consent forms about flu vaccines will also be distributed by Vaccination UK.

The campaign was designed by the council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

It saw a 13 per cent increase in the number of children who received their free nasal spray last year.

For the free nasal spray, and to download and read the first story, visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters