​The Gilded Balloon has named Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity as its first charity partner and is welcoming volunteers to help raise donations.

One of Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s largest entertainment venues has revealed it is to fundraise for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity during August this year.

The Gilded Balloon has never had a charity partner before, but will use this year’s Fringe to boost donations to the charity and increase awareness of the work it does to help children and young people.

Vicki Watson, community fundraiser at ECHC, which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, said: “We exist to ensure children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness and it’s the generosity of those who get involved with us which allows us to continue to do this.”

The Gilded Balloon puts on a variety of theatre, comedy and cabaret shows throughout the year.

Karen Koren, artistic director at Gilded Balloon, commented: “The work that ECHC do can positively transform the lives of children. We hope audiences donate generously to this wonderful cause.”

One supporter of the ECHC whose show will be at the Gilded Balloon, Grant Stott, said: “Both myself and my two kids have experienced first-hand the difference in care that the charity makes. I hope they are able to raise a fantastic amount through this partnership.”

Teams of ECHC volunteers will be collecting funds at The Gilded Balloon and The Rose Theatre from 8th to 27th August. Venues will also display posters highlighting the new partnership, with staff wearing ECHC badges, to encourage performance goers to contribute to the cause.

To find out more about volunteering at the shows, contact the ECHC Community Team on 0131 668 4949 or via email.