Stagehand and Crowdfunder UK launch #ILoveLive, a prize draw campaign organised to raise funds for the production staff and stage crew impacted by the loss of work caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign is spearheaded by artist manager and promoter, David Stopps with Andy Lenthall and Mike Lowe at Stagehand. “When I heard about the 10th suicide among stage crew in late August, I knew I had to do something,” Stopps said. “Stage crew are not only suffering great financial hardship, but most are also experiencing ill mental health. Money raised from these prize draws will actually save lives and help to safeguard their future.”
Prize draws are now open and will close on 17 December at 6pm (GMT).
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/i-love-live
Singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson has announced a special one-off livestreamed show on 12 December with digital ticket profits and merchandise sales from the show split between FareShare, Crew Nation, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Stagehand.
The artist is also donating money to his own touring crew, many of which have been out of work since March. Louis Tomlinson commented: “I want to give my touring crew work, and raise some vital money for them, as without my crew, the show literally couldn’t go on.”
Over 100 prints of world-renowned music artists taken by acclaimed photographers, including frequent TPi photographers, are now on sale on the Prints For Music website. Each A3 print is priced at £95, plus shipping, with proceeds going to Stagehand. Prints For Music for Stagehand was organised by photographer, Ed Robinson. The sale ends on 21 December.
Applications are open for the second round of the Stagehand Crew Relief Fund, closing on 21 December. Organisers anticipate oversubscription and will work hard to contact applicants in early January.
“We intend to continue fundraising to enable further rounds, once all successful claims in round two have been settled,” Stagehand’s Andy Lenthall commented. “We owe a great deal to those that are supporting our fundraising efforts.” The application and details on how to apply for round two of the Stagehand Crew Relief Fund can be found on the charity’s website here.
This article originally appeared in issue #256 of TPi, which you can read here.
