To coincide with Come From Away arriving in the city, Birmingham Hippodrome are collaborating with Theatrical Lydia and her Pay it Forward 9/11 campaign.

Since watching the show for the first time in December 2019, Lydia has been inspired by the kindness shown by the Newfoundlanders and is following the UK tour of Come From Away, ‘paying it forward’ as she travels to each city. Lydia is carrying this campaign out in memory of her friend Laura Townsend, who saw the show over 150 times around the world championing its message and spreading kindness wherever she went. Laura’s wish was to follow the UK tour of Come From Away in 2024, sharing acts of kindness as she travelled but she sadly passed away last year and never got to see the tour come to fruition.

In the spirit of the musical, Birmingham Hippodrome and Theatrical Lydia are asking audience members who come and see the show from Monday 27 May – Saturday 1 June to bring along a non-perishable item from the list below, which then be donated to the Birmingham Central Foodbank.

The multi award-winning musical shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers like Kevin from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.

Taking about the collaboration Lydia said: “I’m super excited to be collaborating with Birmingham Hippodrome on our food bank drive for The Trussell Trust. As a born and bred West-Midlands-er, I hope the people of Birmingham will open their hearts and their cupboards to help those in need and pay forward kindness this week, inspired by the compassion shown by the Newfoundlanders portrayed in Come From Away.”

Pay It Forward 9/11 was founded by real life ‘Come From Away’ Kevin Tuerff, who features in the show itself. Inspired by the kindness Kevin experienced in Newfoundland, he set up the initiative to promote kindness through individual ‘pay it forward’ actions, and the ripple effect they cause.

Kevin Tuerff, President and Founder of Pay It Forward 9/11 said:

“The goal of Pay It Forward 9/11 was set on the first anniversary of the attacks in 2002. Each year, we honor the lives lost in the attacks by doing good deeds for strangers. This months kindness event with Birmingham Hippodrome and Pay It Forward ambassador Lydia Greatrix is a perfect opportunity for everyone to remember the 67 citizens of the UK who perished at the World Trade Center. Kindness will always defeat terror.”

Audiences attending who are able to donate can drop off an item at the donation point by the merchandise stand at the front of the theatre.

Birmingham Central Foodbank are in particular need of:

  • Tinned soup
  • Pasta sauces
  • UHT milk
  • Squash
  • Tinned fruit
  • Baked beans
  • Tinned veg
  • Biscuits
  • Rice
  • Tinned meat
  • Pot noodles
  • Toiletries
  • Tea & coffee
  • Sugar

Thank you in advance to everyone who is able to support this special campaign.