Since the beginning of lockdown, we have been asking you to think of creative (and safe) ways to continue supporting us. From marathons in your back gardens to virtual bake sales, you have helped us to give families a warm and comfortable place to stay close to their child’s bedside, despite these uncertain times.
One group has launched their own virtual festival. The Toon Council, formed in October 2019, to support our Newcastle ‘Homes from Home’ Crawford and Scott Houses. Despite planning a year full of events, lockdown has swiftly brought many of them to an end. However, the members of the Toon Council haven’t let that stop them and have launched Lockstock – a new entertainment video series featuring songs, poetry, comedy, art and music delivered by them to help raise much-needed funds for us during lockdown.
Led by husband and wife duo David and Sam Haley and backed by some of the region’s leading creatives and business figureheads – including BBC Newcastle radio host and comedian Alfie Joey, Newcastle Eagles Owner and Chairman of the British Basketball League Paul Blake and artist Alexander Millar – The Toon Council is dedicated to helping provide families with somewhere to stay so they can be close to their sick children while they receive treatment in the North East. Sam, Head of Operations in the North at The Sick Children’s Trust, said:
“Our ‘Homes from Home’ are needed now more than ever and our house staff have been working tirelessly to ensure we can stay open whilst maintaining social distancing requirements.
“Lockstock is a light-hearted and entertaining way to raise money and awareness for The Sick Children’s Trust. It draws upon the immense talent and experience of the Toon Council.
“As several of our usual fundraising activities have been cancelled due to Covid-19, we are having to look at new ways to generate income. The Toon Council are a really creative group who have come up with some innovative ideas to raise awareness and vital funds.”
Viewers can join Lockstock by going to the Toon Council YouTube channel or following on Facebook. Toon Council Co-Founder, David Haley, said:
“We have a very special episode planned “A question of Zoom” featuring teams of sports stars pulled together by our Toon Council members.
“We will pull the content together regularly using the skills from within the Toon Council and we will post on social media, Facebook in particular. There will also be an Instagram and Twitter campaign to support the signposting and of course pointing towards our critically important JustGiving page.
“We want people to enjoy the episodes and get onboard. It’ll be good old fashioned family entertainment and free for all however we are hoping that people will enjoy and then donate. Given the content I’ve seen already I’m sure it’s going to be a huge success.”
To make a donation to Lockstock visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samantha-haley3
