AT the end of each performance of next week's Stage Experience summer-school production of Oklahoma! in York, the Grand Opera House will be collecting donations on behalf of Kidney Research UK and Parkinson's UK.

Producer Clare O'Connor explained why: "We've chosen these two charities because they have a very personal meaning to us. Having directly affected at least three of the production and marketing team for Oklahoma!, we want to raise awareness and funds for these special charities that have a place in our hearts."

Clare hopes audience members will "please give as generously as you can". "Kidney disease is a silent killer. There are millions of people with it in the UK and there's no cure," she said. "It's fatal without dialysis or a transplant and completely changes the lives of patients and their families.

"The kidneys are the hardest-working organs in the body, using 25 per cent of the blood from every heartbeat. Despite the devastating effects that kidney failure has on lives, Kidney Research UK receives almost no government funding. They have to turn down four out of every five research ideas because they don’t have enough money to support them."

Likewise Parkinson's Disease is a complex and progressive neurological condition. "It affects different people in different ways," said Clare. "Again, it's a disease that has devastating consequences on the lives of patients and their families, but there's no cure. Parkinson's UK tries to raise awareness, fund groundbreaking research and offer support and information to families affected by the disease."

Stage Experience's Oklahoma! will run from August 4 to 6 at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets for Louise Denison's production can be booked on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york