Final push for more to help struggling industry

An anonymous backer yesterday gave £25,000 to the #SaveLiveComedy Fund to help comedians cope with the Covid lockdown.

The  donation adds to the £25,000 which supporter  Panadol gave to kick-start the appeal, and almost 500 smaller donations which have brought the total to just over £77,000.

Now the Live Comedy Association and streaming service NextUp, which jointly set up the fund, have launched a final push to hit £100,000 within the next seven days.

The find was set up after a survey found half of all workers in the comedy industry had lost more than half of their annual income during lockdown. More than 80 per cent reported that their mental health had been negatively impacted by job uncertainty during the pandemic.

The stretch target will be enough to provide 200 grants of £500 across the industry. So far 30 have been distributed.

Daniel Berg from NextUp said: ’In the midst of hearing so many tales of hardship, it’s been a real beacon of light to be able to work with the LCA to distribute these grants.

‘I was told by one recipient that £500 was the exact amount he needed to be able to pay his rent last month. It kept the wolf from the door whilst he was waiting to be paid from a couple of freelance jobs – it has felt so positive to be able to be involved in making that kind of positive impact.’

The association points out that although venues are starting to open up, the industry in not out of the woods yet, saying: ‘ With venues across the country only able to open with less than 50 per cent capacity and only one comedy club open in Scotland, acts and those working offstage still have far fewer gigs in the diary and fees have been reduced.

‘With further uncertainty over the next stage of the government’s roadmap, the #SaveLiveComedy Fund is needed as much as ever.’

Make a donation here.

And comics and other industry workers can apply for a £500 grant here, with  applications closing on June 4.

Published: 28 May 2021