The team behind A Light Walk – which will take place from 20 to 24 September – reveal details of the fundraising mission in support of The ALD’s Lumière Scheme and technical entertainment charity, Backup, and how the sector can get involved.
A Light Walk will see CHAUVET Professional’s Sam Bowden and ALD Lumière working group Chair, Charlotte Burton, walk from The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon to the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, a total distance of over 101 miles which will be completed in just five days. Members of the ALD’s executive committee and other members of the Lumière Scheme working group will be joining the walk for individual days or remotely.
Departing from The Royal Shakespeare Company on day one, the walkers will complete a distance of 24 miles. Day two starts at Bloxham and ends 19 miles further at Bicester. With day three, the walkers will pace the 23 miles to Great Missenden and on days four and five, the distances are considerably shorter, with 18 miles on day four taking participants to Ruislip and finally towards the southbank of the Thames a mere 17 miles on, where day five and the full 101-mile walk, ends.
The money is being raised to support two great causes, the ALD’s highly acclaimed Lumière Scheme in 2022, and the much-needed work of industry charity, Backup.
Burton explained: “We are taking on this almighty test of endurance because we believe that the work achieved through the Lumière Scheme and by Backup is vital and worth the sore feet!”
The funding will assist the evolution of the Lumière scheme which for the past five years has seen continued success. The scheme creates pathways into the lighting production industry by offering real work opportunities alongside established practitioners. The ALD are committed to expanding the current ‘Design scheme’ and establishing a new ‘Production scheme’. Lumières are paid for their work on the full six-month scheme and on the virtual scheme receive a micro-bursary.
Backup provides financial support to industry technical professionals, crew and production personnel and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment industry. In the past year, due to the devastating impact of COVID-19, a hardship fund has been established to provide limited financial assistance to those most in need.
There are several ways to get involved and raise money for these incredibly worthwhile causes. For anybody wanting to join the official walk, please let the team know before 30 June 2021 at Lumiere@ald.org.uk.
Fundraising walkers can join the official route for its entirety or for day or two. The walk can also be undertaken remotely by completing the same distance in your local area. For those wishing to help from the comfort of an armchair, we appreciate all your support and donations can be given easily by following the QR code.