A 48-HOUR improvised theatre production has more than tripled its fundraising target in aid of a leading dementia charity.

Amateur actors spent two days performing this year’s “Improvathon” at the Park Inn by Radisson Palace hotel in Church Street, Southend, where they improvised 25 episodes of a soap opera set in the 1980s. It ran from February 9 to 11.

In total, £3,027 was raised for Dementia UK. It was the fifth annual event, raising funds for a different cause each year.

Organiser Ali James is “absolutely thrilled” at the milestone.

She said: “I’m completely bowled over by the generosity of our audience and members of the public who just wanted to show their support.

“Quite a few people in our company have relations with dementia and there are also members who work in the NHS.

“This year, we wanted to do something to help elderly people, although dementia affects people of all ages.”