Backup's Super September -- Over £25,000 Raised for UK Charity

	Pio Nahum, Claypaky, and John Simpson

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Ambersphere, Claypaky, DiGiCo, Lightpower Collection, and PLASA, backup -- The Technical Entertainment Charity has received donations in excess of £25,500 during September alone.

This amazing month started with PLASA's ongoing collaboration with the PSA, organizing an heroic group to cycle from Chippenham in Wiltshire to London Olympia -- that's about 100 miles! -- on the Saturday before the PLASA Show to increase awareness of mental health within the entertainment and events industries. Not only did they achieve their awareness raising goal, they also raised £1,615 for backup.

Next to show its donating hand was the Lightpower Collection, which exhibits its stunning collection of rock 'n' roll art -- of which legendary rock photographer Neal Preston's work is the core -- around the world, with proceeds from the sale of its original prints donated to backup and US charity, Behind the Scenes. During the PLASA Show, Lightpower's Ralph-Jörg Wezorke presented a cheque for $10K -- approximately £7700 -- to backup chair John Simpson, who in return presented Lightpower with a platinum donor plaque in recognition of its outstanding ongoing support.

The evening of the ever-fabulous Knights Of Illumination (KOI) Awards saw Simpson introduce the new backup video, which stars charity patron Simon Callow, Creative Technology's Dave Crump, DiGiCo's James Gordon, disguise's Sarah Cox, Mark White from ETC, and lighting designer Bryan Leitch explaining exactly what backup does and how industry participants can help.

Long-time backup supporter Claypaky also donated a generous £5,000 during in the evening, and in recognition of its support Simpson presented CEO Pio Nahum with a platinum donor plaque.

"Supporting backup is an honor for us," says Nahum, echoing the sentiments of all backup's supporters. "Claypaky has been part of the stage lighting and entertainment industry for more than 40 years and we feel that helping people from the industry who are in need is everybody's responsibility. We really hope that our contribution will help to relieve somebody from suffering, at least a bit. If we all contribute to this generous cause, the world will be certainly more enlighten."

Ambersphere also donated a fantastic £5,000 to backup on KOI night, as well as launching a video at PLASA highlighting why the company supports backup through its own fundraising intuitive.

PLASA wrapped up the Awards for Innovation at the PLASA Show by announcing that it would be donating a wonderful £2K from the proceeds of the awards to backup.

Last, but by no means least, the end of September saw DiGiCo hold its annual Charity Quiz Night for the industry's UK audio rental companies, where it raised a total of £8,626.00, which was split between backup and the PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund, Stage Hand.

"We're incredibly grateful to everyone involved in raising funds for backup," says Simpson. "This year, the charity has granted over £32,000 in support of nine of our colleagues whose lives have been turned upside down because of serious illness or injury. We wouldn't have been able to do that without the incredible generosity of our supporters who give up their time so freely to help. The donations we've received during September mean we can continue supporting members of our industry family when they need it. A huge thank you to everyone involved."