Backup announces Round 2 of Hardship Fund
- Details
The fund was launched in October with the aim to provide limited financial assistance to production crew and those working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment sector. Set up just ahead of the then-concluding Self-Employment Income Support and Job Retention schemes, it originally targeted those in the community who had been unable to receive any state or charitable assistance.
But Round 2 will be open to workers who have been awarded up to £5,000 in funding between 1 April and 30 November.
“The application uptake for Round 1 of the Hardship Fund reaffirmed to us how dire it is financially and that this help could not come soon enough for many or our colleagues,” comments Backup chairman John Simpson. “It has been heartbreaking to read the messages applicants included and we are thankful that Backup has been able to provide some small level of financial support to help keep our colleagues afloat.”
He adds: “With Round 1, the Hardship Fund was able to help over 100 colleagues that have not previously had any help. However, we are also aware that there is another larger group of people that have had some form of small support from government grants, but this is not enough to meet their day-to-day basic requirements and thus also find themselves in financial difficulty. This is why Backup is opening the Hardship Fund to for a Round 2, targeting these individuals with a widening of the criteria.”
Those wishing to apply during Round 2 have until 11 December at 8pm GMT. Find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply here: www.backuptech.uk/apply/hardship-form.
Simpson concludes: “This second round is, in-part, made possible due to recent fundraising through industry campaigns like #WeMakeEvents, and the numerous individuals fundraising under this industry-wide banner with the likes of recent The Survival Tour and current #WeNeedCrew initiatives, as well as any many other individuals and companies both fundraising and donating through this and other Backup related donation channels. The generosity from amongst our industry colleagues alone has been immensely touching, considering we are all suffering the same plight.”
To read some of the testimonials from those who have been helped in Round 1 of the Hardship Application Fund, please visit www.backuptech.uk/about.
