DRESSED in thigh-high boots, Karen Sherer will soon be "giving up her dignity".
The mum-of-two from Cottingham hopes others will respond in kind – by paying to see her in a charity fundraising panto.
Karen, who is staging Pantomonium next month, said: "We want to give something and, hopefully, people will give us something back.
"If we give them a show and they take our dignity, hopefully we will take their money."
Karen has created the show with Amanda Parker, a friend and fellow mum from Cottingham.`
Janet Devlin - Wonderful on MUZU.TV.Janet Devlin - Creatures Of The Night A&B Session on MUZU.TV.
Behind the frivolity of a show that follows a series of panto characters – including Karen as Prince Charming – is a serious intent.
Both Karen and Amanda, who became friends while running the PFA (Parents and Friends Association) at Skidby Primary School, have been deeply touched by the work of Martin House Children's Hospice in Wetherby.
They have seen how the hospice, which is free for families to use, has helped friends from this area.
Among those who spent time at Martin House was Ellie Mai Mowforth, of Cottingham.
Ellie Mai died as a result of a diffuse brainstemglioma, or tumour, in January last year, shortly before her seventh birthday.
Karen and Amanda, together with their friend Elaine Clucas, had helped to raise money for Ellie Mai in the summer of 2012 by setting up a My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding-style get-together in Cottingham.
The event saw partygoers charged an entry fee and encouraged to dress up as characters from the Channel 4 series. It proved a success, raising more than £2,000, but attracted the quizzical attention of the police.
"They wondered why there were people wandering through the village in wedding dresses, including men," said Karen.
The money was used to send Ellie Mai to Disneyland Paris with her parents, John and Lisa, who went on to set up the Ellie Mai Fund, which raises money for children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.
"Amanda also has close friends in Beverley who lost their baby son at the end of last year," said Karen.
"They too experienced the help and support of Martin House.
"As mums, we felt compelled to thank the amazing people there and to help them to give the same support to other families, in such unimaginable circumstances."
Karen and Amanda decided an autumn panto, held to coincide with Halloween, would be a fun way to raise money.
Work began early this year on the show, which has seen Karen and Amanda contacting business and theatre groups.
Cottingham High School has provided its main hall for the duo to stage the show, along with scenery, props and advice.
Support has come from elsewhere in the community through costumes, printing and T-shirts.
"Me and Amanda never do anything by halves," said Karen.
"We didn't want to rattle buckets, or go to supermarkets and ask for money.
"With the PFA at Skidby, we said we're not doing summer fairs, we are doing proms, hoe-downs and pantomimes – with the headmaster dressed as a dame."
Their new production is set in Pantomonium, the place where all the pantomime characters live.
Many have "moved on" from their lives in their original tale – including Prince Charming and Cinderella, who have married and had a baby.
Others have proved a bit more of a problem.
"Goldilocks is teetering on an Asbo," said Karen. "We are making her out to be a right tearabout."
The show, which sees the inhabitants' way of life threatened by the giant at the top of the beanstalk, includes four members of the Cave Players, an acting group based in North and South Cave.
"They are showing us how it should be done," said Karen.
Other cast members include Karen's sons, Macsen, 14, and Mabon, 12, who have acted with companies including the Richard Green Academy and Beverley Musical theatre.
Amanda's daughter, 16-year-old Claudia, is part of a dance troupe who will feature in the show, with Amanda's son, Charlie, ten, playing one half of Daisy the Calf.
The show, which is being staged in three performances from Friday, October 31, to Saturday, November 1, is intended to raise a smile, along with cash for the charity.
"We have always put on things where we've said 'We've done this – now come and enjoy yourselves'," said Karen.
Tickets for Pantomonium will be available from Cottingham High School and the Cottingham branch of Barclays Bank.
