Each year the Comic Relief event goes from strength to strength, with some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment, coming together with the simple plan to ‘Do Something Funny for Money’, with great effect. There was also the involvement of a plumber from Wales by the name of Smithy!
So far this year a staggering £74,360,207 has been raised, proving that despite the recession, job cuts, VAT rises etc, people in this country can still find it in themselves to dig deep and do their bit for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Richard Martin Lighting (RML) showed its continuous ‘Red Nose Day’ support by supplying the lighting to the event, filmed live at BBC Television Centre (TVC), which this year saw the fundraiser running for its 23rd year. The show had a new bright and ‘bubbly’ set and LD Chris Kempton (along with his trusted technical team) was back for another year to design the lights. With this being Chris’s eighth year working on the show, there is certainly no question that he is the man for the job! Bill Peachment assisted Chris as moving light operator.
The huge lighting rig, consisting of over 200 lights, spilled over TC1, with the various stages and catwalk used by hosts including Fearne Cotton, Graham Norton, Davina McCall and Dermot O’Leary. Specification included Nova Flowers, VL1000TS, VL3000 Wash, VL2400 Wash, Mac 700, Chroma Banks, 8 Lights, 2 Lights, Alpha Wash 1200, Alpha Wash 700 and Stage Bar 54. In addition to this, how could we forget our most recent purchase Sharpy, which really came into their own in many of the music numbers.
Poverty and social injustice are just some of the main focuses of the night and are relayed in some heartfelt messages and emotional videos showing the reality of people’s lives, situations and what the generosity of the nation achieves.
Subo, Fake That and George Michael were just a few of my personal highlights and all of their involvement is a true testimony to what a great and important cause it really is. It’s not too late to donate and you would be amazed at what such a small amount can achieve – eg £8 could pay for ten Ugandan children to be tested for malaria so they can get a quick diagnosis and receive life-saving treatment – incentive enough we are sure you’ll agree.