Photo: Matt Murphy

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Maggie has been a long standing supporter of Acting for Others, helping raise money at events such as One Night Only, along with attending events, such as the Golden Bucket Awards.

Maggie will be greatly missed by everyone involved in the charity, as her legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone whose lives she touched.

The Big West End Walk in pictures!

58 Theatres…16 miles…6 hours, 20 minutes.

Thank you to all of our fantastic supporters! More news to follow!

You can still donate to support this years walk in aid of Acting for Others!

https://actingforothers.enthuse.com/pf/the-big-westend-walk-2024

We’re back with a special episode recorded at the West End Flea Market, 2024!

Join Su Pollard as we visit stalls, the autograph area, and psychic tents full of your favourite West End stars including Harriet Thorpe, Ruth Jones, Lesley Joseph, Christopher Biggins, Bonnie Langford, Clive Rowe and many more!

We had a fantastic day at the fourth year of the West End Flea Market, and with your help, more than £70,000 was raised!

FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT ROLE

We’re looking for someone to join us for up to 12 weeks as a Fundraising Assistant, that has great people skills, enthusiasm, and has a knowledge of the theatre.

You will be joining Acting for Others Fundraising team, providing administrative and operational support during one of our biggest annual campaigns, our annual theatre collections, running from 21^st October 2024 for two weeks.

You’ll be diligent with details and accuracy and show initiative in your work

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

To support the Director of Fundraising and General Secretary.

To assist with the implementation of the annual theatre collections across London and Regional theatres.

Converting theatres for the 2024 annual theatre collections.

Acting as a point of contact and liaise for Theatre Management teams, Company Managers and cast of shows, maintaining a professional approach at all times.

To carry out a range of research, including; the programming of theatrical productions at venues and updating personnel contact information.

To put together resources for Theatres joining the campaign. Including delivering to local theatres and arranging postage to regional venues.

Take responsibility for ensuring that full records are maintained on the database and spreadsheets in accordance with GDPR compliance

Cash handling and reconciliation, during and post collections, with the A4O team.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

Experience of working in a fundraising or sales/customer facing role.

Experience of building and maintaining relationships.

Experience of working within a team and individually to achieve success.

Experience of using a CRM database.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience working in a charity environment.

Knowledge of the Entertainment business.

A good knowledge of West End Theatres and Theatre locations

Have knowledge of a range of donation methods including contactless and QR codes.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Excellent computer skills and experience using a wide range of software, including Microsoft.

Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to liaise with people on the telephone, face to face and in written correspondence

Demonstrable initiative.

Excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping.

Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a busy workload.

Reporting to: The General Secretary and Director of Fundraising

Location: London. Office based.

Length of contract: Up to 12 weeks.15 hours p/w

16^th September – 22^nd November

Hourly rate: £20

Applications should be made to the General Secretary at admin@actingforothers.co.uk The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2024. Interviews will take place 29^th August.

Please include a Cover letter, CV and details of one reference that can be contacted.

A DBS check with be provided.

Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all those that work in theatrical professions, through our network of 14 member charities.

Catch up with all the fabulous episodes from the series, Backstage Curry, including Alexia Khadime, Sonia, Bonnie Langford, Debbie McGee, Yvette Fielding, Daniel Martinez and many more!

This podcast series finds Mark Curry in conversation with a range of fabulous guests. New Episode every Friday!

I’M STILL HERE with Bonnie Langford

West End Charity Football Club today announces the return of The Big West End Walk taking place on Sunday 8 September. Following the incredible success of last year’s walk which raised over 3.5K for Acting for Others, the event is back and will be led by West End Charity Football Club Captain Jon-Scott Clark (Hamilton, Miss Saigon) and Jonny Phillips (Les Misérables) who launched the event in 2023.

West End stars and famous faces will take to the streets to join the team in walking to 58 West End theatres covering 15 miles across London. This year they are offering the chance for the public to join the team for the Big West End Walk 24, details of how to be entered into the competition are available via the West End Charity Football Club’s Instagram page. Three friends will be drawn and invited to join the challenge on Sunday 8 September.

The three competition winners will be notified on 25 August.

The route will be shared publicly after the event so supporters can take on the challenge in aid of Acting for Others.

If you’d like to support our team:  https://actingforothers.enthuse.com/pf/the-big-westend-walk-2024

Actor and presenter, Mark Curry, has created a new Podcast series called, “Backstage Curry”. Episodes feature, “behind the scenes”, chat with performers, broadcasters and creatives. The series is raising funds for, “Acting For Others”, Please donate if you can, via the website DONATE button.

This podcast series finds Mark Curry in conversation with a range of guests with a view to asking the main questions – How did you do it? What’s it really like? What’s it like to play a leading role in a West End musical? What’s it like to represent the UK at The Eurovision Song Contest? What’s it like being on Strictly Come Dancing? What’s does it feel like to become famous?

The first episode BEING GREEEN with Alexia Khadime, is out now.

New Episode every Friday!

We are delighted to announce that General Secretary of Acting for Others and Chief Executive Office of The Royal Theatrical Fund, Sharon Lomas has been awarded an MBE by King Charles III in The King’s Birthday Honours 2024.

The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life. We are all very proud that Sharon has been awarded this prestigious honour.

Sharon was recently invited to attend the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in London on May 15, 2024.

Pictured with Mark Lomas