Launched by Stagehand Trustees in September 2020, the fund was deemed a necessary move by the charity as a means to support crew and technicians and live events industry workers that have fallen through the cracks in Government aid. Open from mid-October, the fund will help those struggling to meet the cost of basic living – a roof over their head or food on the table.
Established in 1934, PPL exists to help ensure that those who invest their time, talent and money to make recorded music are fairly paid for their work. As the UK’s music licensing company for over 115,000 performers and recording rightsholders, PPL license recorded music when it is played in public or broadcast on the radio or TV in the UK and then distribute fees to the performers and recording rightsholders its represents.
In the welcome move from PPL, recognition and support for the live music sector’s crew during the pandemic has been met with huge gratitude from all Stagehand Trustees.
Commenting on the grant, Chair of Trustees, Mike Lowe commented: “We are extremely thankful to PPL for coming on board so generously at the beginning of our campaign. As a sector-specific charity, we’ve already seen devastating effects suffered by some of our workforce caused by the lack of work and financial support. The relief of having rent paid and mouths fed will no doubt ease the undoubted mental anguish caused by the pandemic.”
Peter Leathem, PPL Chief Executive Officer, added: “The live events sector has been one of communities who have been the hardest hit by the pandemic and so we welcome the opportunity to be able to provide this support. This funding adds to the contributions we have made to hardship funds for musicians, freelancers and venues – all of which are part of the music ecosystem. We need to safeguard the jobs and livelihoods of crew so that they are there when our members get back out on the road post-COVID to do what they love most – performing. This is a much-needed initiative from Stagehand and we are pleased to be able to be part of it.”
