What do you buy a young woman who has everything she needs when it comes to a special birthday? It’s a dilemma everyone has faced but when Sara Pickard recently celebrated her 30th birthday she came up with a very special solution. In place of presents, Sara asked for donations which she would divide between the two charities that she feels have had the biggest impact on her life: Mencap Cymru for whom Sara works, and Hijinx Theatre, the Cardiffbased

professional theatre company that pioneers opportunities for learning disabled actors. Sara, a talented actress with Down’s syndrome, has toured in two professional productions with Hijinx, Miss Brown to You and Into My Own, as well as being a long standing member of their community theatre group, Odyssey. It is because of her involvement that Sara chose Hijinx Theatre, “I have been involved with both Odyssey and Hijinx for a number of years now and they have given me so much that has helped me in my life. I felt I wanted to give something back. I want others to be able to have the wonderful experiences I have had and I hope I have helped, in some small way, for that to carry on happening.”

Mike Pickard, Sara’s father, has witnessed the impact that Hijinx Theatre has had on his daughter’s life, “For the past 7 years, Sara has worked full-time as a Project Officer for Mencap Cymru, delivering training programmes to young people in schools and colleges throughout Wales. She was very fortunate to be allowed to take sabbaticals from work to tour with the two professional productions for Hijinx. She benefitted immensely from the coaching and

direction provided by Gaynor Lougher, Hijinx’s Artistic Manager, who made Sara a much more confident individual – she uses the techniques she learnt from Gaynor, and the professional actors she worked with, every day in her work. She still thoroughly enjoys working with her friends at Odyssey.”

The generosity of Sara’s friends and family has been overwhelming, raising an incredible £840 and enabling her to donate £420 to Hijinx Theatre. Sara has requested that this money go towards Odyssey’s forthcoming production of

The Last Snow of Winter at the Wales Millennium Centre, which Sara is currently performing a leading role is Inspired by stories of great journeys, The Last Snow of Winter sees Odyssey embark on a quest of their own. Taking only a suitcase they trek into the unknown, but where they’ve come from and where they are going, no-one seems to know! An epic journey of laughter and sorrow, of loves lost and found, and of miracles and monsters. Will they be home by Christmas or remain lost in the wilderness until the last snow of winter?

Odyssey are delighted after the success of Whispers on the Waves last year, in which Sara played the role of Sam, to once again be working with writer, Philip Michell. Featuring pupils from Woodlands High School and supported by Wales and West Utilities, Legal and General and Arts and Business Cymru, The Last Snow of Winter is a festive treat

for all the family.

You can see Sara in The Last Snow of Winter in the Weston Studio at Wales Millennium Centre today, Friday 6th December at 7pm, and tomorrow, Saturday 7th December at 2.30pm and 7pm; tickets £8 - £12. For more information visit hijinx.org.uk/the-last-snow-of-winter

If, like Sara, you would like to make a gift to Hijinx Theatre, please visit hijinx.org.uk/donate