HEART of England Mencap has secured a square on the Stratford version of Monopoly which is set to hit shelves next month.
The Clifford Chambers-based charity – which support local people with learning disabilities, enabling and empowering them to live the life they choose – follows the Shakespeare Hospice as the second charity voted to appear on the special edition of the world-famous board game.
Heart of England Mencap spokeswoman Di Yeoman said: “We’re incredibly excited about Heart of England Mencap featuring on the new Stratford-upon-Avon Monopoly board and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us.
“It’s wonderful to know that so many members of this community value the work we do supporting local people with learning disabilities.”
Retailers in the town have put in ‘huge’ advanced orders in preparation for the launch of the board which will take place at the RSC on October 13 – the same morning the game hits shop shelves.
Natasha Rebuck from Winning Moves UK which produces Monopoly, said: “There has been an enormous pre-demand for boards by retailers.
“Interest in the board for Christmas has been beyond our expectations and at this rate it looks like the only boards which will be left come Christmas Eve will be the ones on Santa’s sleigh.
“We are having to print a lot more boards than we first anticipated and even those may not be enough.”
Many of the town’s leading landmarks are vying for the top squares – including Bancroft Gardens, Holy Trinity, the RSC and The Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust – which will only be revealed on launch day.
Ms Rebuck added: “We could have filled the board 30 times over but in the end there are only enough spaces for around 30 landmarks.”
