Neighbours help girl fulfil stage dream (From South Wales Argus)

Neighbours help girl fulfil stage dream

3:12pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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NEIGHBOURS in Newport are rallying around a schoolgirl who hopes to fulfil her dream of attending the Italia Conti school of performing arts.

Alice Urrutia, 18, won a place at the prestigious London school that has taught names such as Patsy Kensit, Leslie Ash and Kelly Brook.

Her parents Louis, 60 and Linda, 54, have already raised £5,000 towards the cost of her study.

But this will only cover the first term and in total Miss Urrutia needs £25,000 to pay for the one year course and living costs in London.

Mr and Mrs Urrutia wrote over 1,000 letters to neighbours asking for donations for a table top sale they are holding to raise funds.

They have been overwhelmed by the “phenomenal response”.

Mrs Urrutia, who works for a publishing company, said: “We have boxes and boxes. Every room of the house is full plus the shed, a neighbour’s garage and my garden looks like Steptoe’s Yard.”

The family are hoping to raise around £1,000 from the sale that takes place today at the pantomime rehearsal hall on St Mark’s Crescent.

The items they have been given include a table and chairs, pram, ornaments, toys, CDs, books, suitcases, 80 portland dolls and a bowling ball.

Miss Urrutia, a Bassaleg Comprehensive pupil who has just finished her A-levels in sociology, music and drama, won her place after a gruelling six hour audition, beating thousands of other hopefuls in winning one of 30 places.

The table top sale takes place at the pantomime rehearsal hall, St Mark’s Crescent, Newport, at 2pm today.

For information, or to help Miss Urrutia, phone 07904887618.

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