First Night Riders: It's Ignition Time for Sponsorship!

	The First Night Ride is inviting sponsors to help them raise much-needed funds for The Theatrical Guild

With only two months to go before the intrepid First Night Riders set off from London's iconic Roundhouse for a four-day motorbike and classic car tour of some of the UK's most fabulous theatres, organizers are inviting sponsors to get involved.

The First Night Ride, which is now in its fourth year, aims to raise much-needed funds for The Theatrical Guild (TTG), a unique charity which offers support, help, and advice to people working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

The previous three rides have raised more than £30,000 for The Theatrical Guild's amazing work via a network of industry sponsors which has enabled the charity to support a variety of people (to respect the privacy of those that ask for help all information is confidential. Therefore, the below quotes are revealed anonymously) including:

"The Theatrical Guild gave me £350 to purchase a new cooker. I had been going through a difficult time when I made the application and was very anxious and embarrassed about making that first move. I had no need to worry. I was made to feel very comfortable, I felt like I was understood and the support offered was non-judgemental. I am extremely grateful for the help." -- stage door keeper, London

"Thank you sincerely for the grant towards my living costs ... which will be used for food, clothing, and phone calls to pursue the documents required to start living a normal life again." -- front-of-house attendant, Liverpool

"I finished college last week. It was such a great course and I feel so grateful that with your support I was able to do it. I learned so much and now feel motivated and more confident." -- wardrobe mistress, Manchester

Sponsors of the 2013 event include theatre consultants, Blitz Communications, PLASA, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, The Fifth Estate Ltd, Flint Hire and Supply, and Triple E.

"We're enormously grateful to the sponsors who have become an important and integral part of the First Night Riders event, making all the hard work worthwhile by enabling us to really make a difference in people's lives -- the often unsung heroes of the entertainment industry," says co-organizer David Edelstein. "There are many people still in need of assistance via The Theatrical Guild, and extra funding is vital to help them continue their important work. If you or your company is able to get involved, please get in touch with me ASAP via Triple E, emailing Brenda.edelstein@3-eee.com or +44 (0)1959 570 333."

This year's sponsored ride tours Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and the Peak District on motorcycles and in vintage vehicles from Friday to Monday June 21-24. Details of this year's route and entertainment pit stops and for more information, to sponsor, or to register to take part in this exciting event, visit the URL below.