Over £6,000 has been raised for a huge outdoor performance at Maumbury Rings in Dorchester to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landings.

The crowdfunding page for Dorchester Arts’ project ‘Apollo - One Giant Leap!’ smashed its original £5,000 objective and now they have stretched the target to £7,500.

The original target was achieved within just two weeks, largely due to a donation of £2,500 by Dorset County Council.

The performance is scheduled for July 2019, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the great events in human history - the dramatic events of the Apollo 11 space mission in July 1969, the climax of which was Neil Armstrong's first step on the Moon's surface and his famous quote: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for Mankind."

Elizabeth Evensen, marketing manager at Dorchester Arts, said: “Apollo - One Giant Leap is a musical celebration for the whole community, describing the dramatic events of the Apollo 11 space mission in July 1969.

“The performance will be the centrepiece of a weekend of moon-related celebrations called ‘Moonbury Rings’, which will include the internationally-acclaimed Museum of The Moon, a seven-metre diameter suspended, internally illuminated sculpture of the moon created by the artist Luke Jerram.

Dorchester Arts will work with local composer Geof Edge, as well as writers, producers and musicians to create a spectacular outdoor performance by Dorchester’s children to celebrate this lunar anniversary.

Over 2000 children will be involved in the project through workshops in schools, making various items to be used as decorations and props.

There will also be a 500-strong choir of school children performing on the night.

The weekend will also feature an outdoor cinema event featuring space-themed movies and a family science day.

Mark Tattersall, Project Director, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far, it has been an incredible journey.

“If we reach our second target of £7,500, we can involve even more of the Dorchester community.”

To get involved visit the Crowdfunding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/apollo-one-giant-leap.