AN INDEPENDENT cinema in Christchurch has raised over £2,500 for Dorset Blind from bucket collections during its first run of the Downton Abbey film.

During the Regent cinema’s first First Run film screening in over 46 years, a special bucket collection was held after every screening on behalf of the Dorset Blind Association of which Julien Fellowes, the scriptwriter for Downton’s TV series and the film, is one of their patrons.

The Head of Fundraising at Dorset Blind Association, Gareth Owens, said: “Even though I can now pretty much repeat every line in Downton Abbey verbatim, I'm somewhat deflated now Dorset Blind Association's bucket collection residency at The Regent Centre has come to an end.

“Not only did we manage to raise £2561 from their benevolent patrons, but it's been a great experience for me and for our fundraising volunteer, and the staff and army of volunteers at the venue have been nothing short of amazingly supportive to us - I can't thank them enough.

“Thank you kindly, Felicity Porter and Laura Dean and your merry bunch of theatrically inclined cohorts for your support.”

Julian Fellowes very kindly recorded a personal “good luck” video message for the Regent, which was played before every screening of Downton Abbey.

The Regent cinema has also received recognition from Universal Studios, which released the film, as it was the number one independent cinema in the UK and Ireland for achieving the highest gross figures.

Downton Abbey was shown at the Regent from its opening day on Friday 13 September for no less than 52 screenings before finishing on Thursday 10 October. At the end of the run, nearly 12,000 film fans had been to see Downton Abbey at the Regent.