Microsoft corporate social responsibility manager Sarah Foxall commented: "SPS was able to proactively think through the difficult issues presented by the event, and come up with solutions that allowed us to put on a great evening for our guests. With the generous support of our suppliers like SPS the Microsoft Charity Ball has been able to raise over £360,000 for the NSPCC over the last eight years." Ray Lowton, SPS's head of sound, said: "We try to make these events as painless for charities as possible. Working with charities is always rewarding and we like to feel that we can find time to help whenever possible."
SPS also supported the annual Scene & Heard fund raising event. This charity, whose patron is Oscar-winning actress Emily Watson, works with the under-privileged children of Kings Cross, to raise the self-esteem of the children involved through a personal experience of success. The children work in partnership with professional actors to write and perform their own plays. The Show Director, Paul Clayton, was thrilled with the show and SPS' contribution: "It was a great joy to be working with some familiar faces on what could have been a stressful day. Knowing that there are people around who are fantastic at their job just makes everything seem so much easier."
For the Scene and Heard event, which took place at the Bloomsbury theatre in London, SPS provided a d&b audiotechnik PA system and Barco projection with input from video and graphics. The event raised £11,000. One week later, SPS provided sound and video support for the Rhys Daniels Trust Valentine's Ball and the Children of Achievement Awards at the Hilton Hotel, again supplying a d&b PA system, and projection with input from video, PowerPoint Graphics and Camera. The following day found SPS back at the Hilton, rearranging equipment from the previous night's ball in preparation for the Child of Achievement Awards. This national children's charity presents 150 Awards and gives 150 grants to help children achieve more. The annual awards ceremony is broadcast across the news channels, and SPS were there to provide sound, lighting, stage set and provision of internal communication at the event.
(Lee Baldock)
