The Nikos Fund

Each year, The Nikos Fund raises money for a chosen registered charity to commemorate the life and contribution to the ILMC of one of our founding members, the late Nikos Sachpasidis.

Every delegate automatically makes a donation to The Nikos Fund just by registering for the conference but there will be additional opportunities to further swell the coffers by giving generously via the Nikos Fund collection tins, strategically placed around the Royal Lancaster Hotel and occasionally shaken loudly in your face during the conference.

ILMC 34’s charity of choice is Stagehand, the members’ charity fund of the Production Services Association (PSA). With a largely self-employed workforce, many of whom have fallen into the gaps in government support, and widespread redundancies amongst employees, Stagehand intends to raise funds to help those in most need, with the simple aim of helping to keep roofs over heads and food on tables.

Stagehand

Stagehand started in 1998 as The PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund and became a registered charity in 2000. Our mission has always been to support live events industry production workers and their dependents at times of illness, injury or death. In the last five years, supporting mental health first aid and awareness training has been added to our endeavours. Stagehand is the original and longest serving charity to the sector.

Funds raised over the years have mainly come from the live production sector itself from a variety of fundraising activities. Stagehand has always been run by volunteer trustees, which has enabled almost all money raised to go to live events workers in need.

When the industry stopped in early 2019, the live sector was no longer in a position to provide for itself. Stagehand launched its COVID-19 Fund. Artists, managers, agents, promoters, record companies, royalty collection and other industry institutions to date have contributed over £1.8m enabling us to award thousands of grants to help keep roofs over heads and food on tables for live event workers who suddenly found themselves in dire straits. In other words, many of you – the attendees and supporters of ILMC came to the rescue.

We are hugely grateful and encouraged that ILMC continues with support making Stagehand its chosen charity this year.