With many lighting designers already giving their support, the second annual Light Relief Day, which this year takes place on Thursday April 24, looks set to top the £5000 raised in 2007.

Already pledging to donate their royalties for April 24 to Light Relief are the lighting designers of many shows, including a couple of overseas productions: Paule Constable, The City at Royal Court Theatre, Chris Davey, (no specific show); Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot UK and Australia; Rob Halliday, Equus UK tour and My Fair Lady US tour; Paul Pyant, Lord of the Rings; Malcolm Rippeth, Brief Encounter; Ian Scott, 39 Steps; Kevin Sleep, Woman in Black, James Whiteside for The Wedding Singer tour and Never Forget, donated in advance of its West End premiere in May; and Willie Williams, We Will Rock You, UK and French and Saunders Live Tour. Thanks to all these for their early commitment – it is hoped that more will join as Light Relief Day gets closer.

Light Relief Day was instigated by Rick Fisher in honour of the late Tony Gottelier as a permanent way of remembering him. As well as lighting designers, Rick hopes that more people and organisations will come on board this year, saying: "The first Light Relief Day in 2007 was a huge success and demonstrated how lighting designers are fully behind Tony's idea of having a fund to help members of the industry. It would be great if, say, the rental companies would climb on board, as well as more designers and suppliers."

Tony Gottelier was instrumental in setting up Light Relief, which aims to help lighting industry professionals in times of extreme hardship. Rick, who as well as being a co founder of the charity is also chairman of the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), says: "Like most freelance people, lighting designers and technicians only earn when they are actually working. So if, say, a family crisis prevents someone working, they lose their income – but usually can’t claim on insurance.

"Tony was universally respected in the lighting arena, and we thought it fitting that we dedicate a day to him, so that people can show their support to others in the industry. Many of us have done well out of our profession, and it’s only right that we put some of that aside to help others."

Any individuals who support Light Relief Day can make full use of their donation by Gift Aiding their contribution, enabling Light Relief to claim an extra 28% in tax relief.

Rick concludes: "Last year proved what we are capable of – let’s go all out to make Light Relief Day 2008 an even bigger success!"

23rd April 2008

ETC has supported the fund raising efforts of Light Relief since it was formed in 2001, making many donations over the years. Now the company's UK office has pledged ongoing support for the charity over the next five years, with five annual donations totalling £12,500.

Presenting the first £2,500 cheque to trustee Matthew Griffiths at the ETC / ABTT Christmas party on December 14, Fred Foster, CEO of ETC, said: "Our industry would not exist without its many freelance lighting designers and technicians. Light Relief has already provided much needed practical and financial help to many of our colleagues and I am delighted that ETC can enable it to continue this fine program."

Thanking Fred on behalf of Light Relief, Matthew, who is also managing director of PLASA, said: "Light Relief assists freelancers in our industry who need immediate assistance in times of crisis. One-off donations are always welcome of course, but this kind of ongoing support is not only very generous of ETC but demonstrates that key players in the industry are behind us 100%."

Like most freelance people, lighting designers and technicians only earn when they are actually working. So if, say, someone has to take time off to look after a family member, they lose their income, but usually can't claim on insurance. Light Relief was set up to help in circumstances such as this, providing short term help to individuals and families through times of crisis. If you, or anyone you know, needs help, contact Light Relief trustees at www.lightrelief.org.uk.

10th January 2008

When Rosco launched #313 Light Relief Yellow Supergel filter in 2003, the hope was that the colour would provide the Light Relief charity with a steady income from its sale for years to come.

Developed with the help of Rick Fisher, co-founder (along with the late Tony Gottelier) of the industry charity which supports lighting designers in difficult times, Light Relief Yellow is a vibrant colour, suitable for raising awareness of the charity.

Since committing to this program, Rosco has presented Light Relief with an annual donation based on the sales of #313. At PLASA '07, Rosco's President Stan Miller presented Light Relief with a check for $3,172 bringing the total to date over $10,000.

"What has been remarkable about Rosco is the continuing nature of its support for this charity, which is there to provide practical assistance to those in the lighting industry who fall on hard times," says Rick Fisher. "It is wonderful that the charity is supported by such unending contributions and particularly reminds users of Light Relief and Rosco's creative generosity every time the colour is specified."

Stan Miller added, "From the beginning we saw the development of a unique colour as representative of the effort of those supporting this worthwhile effort. We are delighted that this is truly a 'gift that keeps on giving' and we will be back next year and for many years to come."

17th September 2007

"One day I was working on Starlight Express in Edinburgh, the next I was in hospital with the prospect of being unable to work for many weeks." Chris Luscombe is a freelance production electrician, who is now singing the praises of Light Relief for its support during an extremely lean time.

The injury wasn't even work related - Chris was walking down some steps when he twisted his ankle, to be told in hospital that he had both fractured and dislocated it. Initially he was told he wouldn't be able to work for five to six weeks, but he soon found out that his job meant he would actually be off work for 14 weeks. Chris's wife works for him, looking after the administration side of the business, so no work meant no income at all.

Chris said: "We have two young children, a mortgage, lease on a car - all the usual trappings - so it was all a real shock. I had a small insurance policy, but the payout fell way short of what I needed, covering only about half of our regular outgoings. I knew of Light Relief but was hesitant about contacting them, even though I was really stressed about how we were going to cope, until one of my colleagues spurred me on."

"The trustees at Light Relief were brilliant. I knew the charity wouldn't be a continual source of funds, but they awarded me 50% of my outgoings on my mortgage and the car for two months, which made such a difference. I was able to afford some private physiotherapy treatment, which actually got me back to work a good four weeks earlier than anticipated."

Having suffered his accident on April 30, Chris didn't start work again until August 12, catching up with Starlight Express in Bradford! He continues: "After such a long break, I'm only just getting back up to speed and start work on Hairspray next week. The support from the industry has been tremendous and once we get back on our feet, I am certainly going to give something back to Light Relief. It was fantastic."

31st August 2007

What do Billy Elliot!, Mamma Mia, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Guys and Dolls, Spamalot, Evita, Les Miserables and Boeing, Boeing have in common? Easy - the lighting designers of these and many other shows will be donating a day's royalties to Light Relief on Light Relief Day, 24 April.

Light Relief Day is held in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, and is the brainchild of lighting designer Rick Fisher, who wanted a permanent way of remembering Tony.

Tony was instrumental in setting up the charity, which aims to help lighting industry professionals in times of extreme hardship. Rick, who as well as being a co founder of the charity is also chairman of the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), says: "Like most freelance people, lighting designers and technicians only earn when they are actually working. So if, say, someone has to take time off to look after a family member, they lose their income - but usually can't claim on insurance."

Paule Constable is a freelance lighting designer with two children, who was helped a few years ago by Light Relief. She says: "My partner, a freelance in the theatre industry, injured his back and was hospitalised for five months. We were thrown into a situation where he could neither care for the children nor earn any money. I had to continue to work in order to support us, but couldn't afford to pay for the vital child care to allow me to do this. I used up all the savings and favours that I could - when I ran out of both, Light Relief stepped in to help me with my child care costs. I was absolutely desperate and have no idea what I would have done without this help."

"Tony was universally respected in the lighting arena," continues Rick, "and we thought it fitting that we dedicate a day to him, so that people can show their support to others in the industry. Many of us have done well out of our profession, and it's only right that we put some of that aside to help others."

Many LDs have already pledged their support - including the LDs of most West End shows - and other people and businesses in the industry are invited to participate as well. By Gift Aiding their contribution, Light Relief is also able to claim an extra 28% in tax relief.

Rick concludes: "Let's use all the incredible creativity in the lighting world to make the first Light Relief Day a big success!"

1st March 2007

Leading entertainment lighting supplier White Light has this year chosen a different approach to marking Christmas: instead of sending out Christmas cards to customers, the company has instead decided to make donations to two charities.

White Light continues its ongoing involvement with the lighting industry charity Light Relief with a donation of £2000. Established in 2000, Light Relief aims to provide help to those working in the field of entertainment lighting when they find themselves in times of extreme hardship. White Light has been involved with Light Relief from the start, with White Light's Chairman, John Simpson, serving as one of the charity's trustees. He presented White Light's donation to fellow-trustee and Association of Lighting Designers Chairman Rick Fisher at 14th Annual Lighting Dinner in mid-December.

White Light has donated a further £1000 to Cancer Research UK. This donation marks and commemorates the lives of a number of White Light people lost to cancer during 2004-2005, including Antony Bridges and White Light co-founders Rory Dempster and Andy Phillips.

"We hope that people won't be too disappointed when they don't see a Christmas card from White Light drop through their letterbox this year," says John Simpson. "We decided that this year, the money we'd normally spend on cards and gifts we'd donate to two worthwhile causes, that it would be a better way to celebrate Christmas. We do hope that others agree – and we do wish everyone in the industry all the best for Christmas and the New Year beyond."

PLASA06 saw Rosco's continuing support for Light Relief with the presentation of a cheque for $3,762, raised from sales of Light Relief Yellow #313, to Rick Fisher by Rosco president Stan Miller.

Introduced in late 2003, Light Relief Yellow #313 is part of Rosco's Supergel range of colour filters and was developed with the help of Fisher, co-founder, along with the late Tony Gottelier, of the industry charity that supports lighting designers with personal difficulties.

"What is so great about Rosco's support for Light Relief through Light Relief Yellow #313 is that it will continue to support Light Relief for years to come," says Fisher.  "That kind of commitment to the industry and the people who work in it is what has always marked out Rosco. We in the UK really value Rosco's innovative way of helping Light Relief to answer the needs of people in the lighting industry who fall on difficult times."

Stan Miller commented, "We at Rosco are pleased to support the work of Rick and his dedicated associates at Light Relief. It's clear that #313 will be a popular Supergel colour in the years to come and our donations will continue."

Without Tony and his inspiration, hard work and sheer determination, Light Relief would not exist.

In the first half of 2000, the plight of Tom Donnellan brought to Tony's attention the fact that there was no industry fund providing assistance of any kind to lighting designers who found themselves on hard times. Tony highlighted Tom's case in his regular No Comment column in Lighting&Sound International, gaining support for the founding of an industry charity, which he named Light Relief.

In conjunction with Rick Fisher, Tony took up the reins and, in 2003, the organisation was awarded charity status, although it had already supported claims from many people in the lighting profession.

Tony identified strongly with Tom Donnellan and others that Light Relief was set up to help. In his column in June 2000, Tony wrote:

"As one who has had to contend with serious illness during my career, and the consequential financial fallout, I am perhaps more aware than most how such experiences, dealt at random by life's lottery, can impact on one's daily life and resources, both material and mental. Like Tom, I had no health insurance that covered loss of income and, in effect, I am still paying the price of that temporary incapacity today. Unlike Tom Donnellan, though it didn't seem like it at the time, with huge support from my wife, it turned out that I did have the capacity to survive the trauma. Others, as in Tom's wife's case, will not be so fortunate."

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Tony was one of the most influential lighting designers working in the nightclub and leisure industry, with his groundbreaking design for the famous Camden Palace among his achievements. From 1983 onwards, with Peter Wynne-Willson, Tony was a partner in the innovative lighting design and engineering firm, Wynne-Willson Gottelier (WWG). The company was responsible for many entertainment projects for the leisure and cruise ship industry, and for creating products such as the Razorhead moving searchlight, the Fantôme - an automated version of Robert Juliat's 2.5kW zoom profile - and of course the Catalyst system with its 'orbital movement' mirror-based projection arrangement.

Tony was a long-time associate editor and regular contributor to Lighting&Sound International magazine, and his No Comment column became one of the most talked-about regular features of the magazine: the page would often be faxed across the Atlantic in advance of the print version arriving, so that the Stateside industry could see what he was talking about.

Tony Gottelier died on July 16 2006 at his home in Kent, England, following a long illness.

The Trustees of Light Relief personally celebrated the life of Tony by planting trees in the Crown Meadow Wood, Dunton Green, Kent with the help of The Woodland Trust.