UK - This year's First Night Riders charity motorbike and classic car tour of
British theatres, which raises money for The Theatrical Guild's (TTG) vital work,
takes to the roads on Friday 3rd July.
This year marks the sixth year that some of the theatre industry's biggest movers
and shakers zoom together for a weekend aimed at raising awareness and much-needed
funds to help TTG support Backstage and FOH staff in need. Established in 1891, TTG
is dedicated to looking after theatre personnel who, due to a variety of
circumstances need welfare advice, counselling, educational sponsorship and many
other forms of help.
The charity has many supporters in the industry, including Dara O'Briain who is also
a Trustee of The Theatres Trust.
Taking place between 3rd and 6th July, this year's route starts in Scarborough and
visits the Spa Theatre & Grand Hall and The Stephen Joseph Theatre. Over the
weekend, the ride visits Harrogate's Royal Hall, Theatre Royal York at their
temporary home in the National Railway Museum. Theatre by the Lake Keswick,
Morecambe and Blackpool's Winter Gardens and ends at the Liverpool's Everyman
Theatre.
"The event is going from strength to strength, we have a great bunch of regulars
taking part with many from overseas and I always look forward to meeting new
riders," says David Edelstein, MD of track systems specialist Triple E, who is
organising the event with partner Brenda Edelstein. "The international group has a
great time visiting many kinds of theatres informing theatre staff about this
wonderful and very appropriate charity. Brenda and I are very proud to be organising
this event, and for us, it is another example of Triple E's commitment to supporting
the industry that supports us."
This year the First Night Ride hope to surpass well over the £60,000 mark for TTG,
enabling the charity to help theatre's unsung heroes.
More information is available at www.firstnightride.com
You can watch a video promo for this year's ride at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWvBuPdZm-0