THE missing piece of the jigsaw has now been filled for organisers of the Marlborough Community Passion Play, after they received the rest of the money they needed to put on a spectacular show.

Now that they have raised the money they need to stage the show, the organisers have said they will put the collection buckets out on April 15 during the show, which is mainly being staged in The Parade, to raise as much money as they can for the Gazette's Wiltshire Air Ambulance Airbase Appeal.

After receiving a total of £12,500 in grants and £2,000 in donations, everything is in place for the play which focuses on the last days of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection and will take place in various locations in the town on Easter Saturday.

Production manager David Wylie said he and his team of around 100 people, including actors, committee members, technicians, costume makers and volunteers, were delighted to have reached their target and cannot wait to get started.

"We are just thrilled that we have sufficient funds to meet the needs of the production, thanks to these grants and donations, which is fantastic news," he said.

"It should be a stunning spectacle. Having around 2,000 people on the streets of Marlborough, 250 or so dressing up for the acting part of it, will be brilliant.

"I want to thank the Passion Trust, Aldhelm Trust, Marlborough and Wiltshire Churches Together, St Mary's Church, the town council, St Francis and Preshute Schools and many more for making this possible.

"The Gazette have supported us very well in the run-up to this and we know that their chosen charity is the Airbase Appeal, so we thought we would support them too – it is a great cause to get behind."

Cas Loudon, donor relationship co-ordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are so grateful to the organisers of the Marlborough Community Passion Play for raising funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance's Airbase Appeal. The town of Marlborough will be buzzing with activity as the play is performed and it is set to be a wonderful and exciting occasion for families to be involved.

“The Airbase Appeal is raising the remaining £1.25 million needed for our purpose-built airbase at Semington, near Melksham. The funds raised at the Marlborough Community Passion Play will help us to complete the building and equip our new airbase.”

The project has been more than six months in the making and now that there are just two weeks to go, Mr Wylie can hardly believe it.

"It has been a monumental team effort. To think we are just weeks away is mindboggling," added Mr Wylie.

"What has been so amazing is how everyone has embraced this and we are looking forward to putting on a spectacular event.

"We have filled all the roles, raised all the funds, sorted the road closure and made all the costumes but if we can still have some more stewards that would be great."

The Parade will be closed on April 15 from 10am-7.30pm.

For more information visit www.marlboroughpassion.uk