Entertainment technology industry practitioners across the UK and North America are being urged to participate in a day of fundraising for charity Behind the Scenes.
Funds from By Design Day, this year 24 April, will provide financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals when they are ill or injured or to their surviving family members covering basic living costs, medical related expenses, transportation, retraining, and funeral expenses.
The UK charity has begun awarding a limited number of grants having launched last year, although Behind the Scenes has been operational since 2006 in North America. The first UK recipient was a technician who suffered severe injuries from a fall while at work.
John Simpson, chairman of Behind the Scenes in the UK, said, “this is one day a year that we ask our colleagues to do what they can to support their friends and colleagues—any one of whom might need the help of Behind the Scenes at any time.
"None of us know what lies around the corner and, while we hope that a carefree existence lies ahead for us all, unfortunately we know that’s unlikely. It might be a friend who falls ill, a complete stranger who is injured or it might be you—either way, it’s reassuring to know that help is out there should the worst happen.”
Industry workers in hardship through illness or injury may apply for a grant online.