SANE’S 40 YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE SHAW THEATRE

By Madeleine Anderson | Press Invite

Through storytelling, singing and music the night’s performances showcased the healing power of community and movement.

Last Sunday supporters, beneficiaries, and many familiar faces gathered in a bustling theatre to celebrate 40 years of SANE, the independent mental health charity transforming lives across the UK.

Founded in 1986 by Marjorie Wallace CBE following her reporting on mental health for The Times, Wallace’s message has grown from powerful investigative journalism into an enduring commitment to provide a lifeline for those in need.

Four decades on, the charity continues to provide vital care, delivering over 8,000 hours of emotional support last year alone, also launching SANEchat for young people aged 13–17, and ensuring missed callers are always called back so no one feels alone.

Hosted warmly by Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley and Casualty’s Olly Rix, the evening balanced quiet reflection on loss with vibrant celebration of life. Riley paid a moving tribute to her late friend, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor, revealing her own deeply personal commitment to the charity. In another moment of gentle grieving, The Hoosier’s Alan Sharland, who is also a patron of the charity and performed on the night, shared how mental health had hit his family, with his grandmother having taken her life before he was born.

Through storytelling, singing and music the night’s performances showcased the healing power of community and movement. The lineup featured a soulful community choir, including Robin’s auntie, and an energetic set by Dr. Peter Lovatt, who had the entire audience clapping, clicking, and stomping together, championing the strength of joy and jumping to improving mental health.

Comedian Rory Bremner brought bursts of laughter with an uncanny King Charles impression, sharing nostalgic stories of the then-Prince of Wales helping Wallace secure crucial early support. The night ended with a heart-thumping performance from Heather Small, whose rousing anthem “Proud” brought the room to its feet. While high-profile patrons like Angela Rippon and Ruby Wax, who were both in the audience, were thanked for their support, Wallace made sure to direct her deepest gratitude toward the “ordinary people”, the tireless staff, volunteers, and supporters who power the charity every day.

As SANE looks to the future, the event proved that through music, shared stories, and with the right resources, hope and support will always be there for those in need. 

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