Raise Awareness, Raising a Smile

Our Event:

Lushious Works Productions, in partnership with Bristol based HIV charity, Brigstowe, are raising awareness of HIV in Bristol, raising awareness and money for Brigstowe, and the fantastic work they do to support those living with HIV in Bristol, and raising a smile by putting on a night of comedy on World AIDS Day, Thursday, 1st December 2016, at the Queenshilling in Bristol. We intend to bring top comedy acts sourced from around the UK to show solidarity and support for Bristol's HIV positive population.

With performances from:

Yuriko Kotani - Winner of BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2015

Kirsty Newton - "MULTI-TALENTED ROCK BABE... A MUSICAL POWERHOUSE" - CHORTLE

and more to be announced

Money raised for the event will be donated to Brigstowe and the amazing work they do for people living with HIV in Bristol.

To get your tickets, donate here. Money raised for the event will be donated to Brigstowe and the amazing work they do for people living with HIV in Bristol.

Donate £10 to get 1 ticket
Donate £18 to get 2 tickets
Donate £34 to get 4 tickets

Share our event with your friends here and join us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2156164327941374/

What we need:

We need your help to set-up and run this event. While we will be keepinng all costs to a minimum, to maximise the income for the Brigstowe project, we do have costs that we need to cover in order to ensure this event goes ahead, including expenses for:

• Venue (£00.00 See update below!),
• Expenses for acts, including travel and accommodation costs (£250-300)
• Publicity costs, including flyers, posters, and ticket sales (£100-150),
• Expenses for the event, including equipment for event and expenses for volunteers (£150)

While we are planning a budget of £1,000 to make sure this event goes ahead, where possible we will look to get venues, equipment, and support in kind. Any donations above and beyond the money we spend through this campaign will be donated in full to Brigstowe, to support and promote their continued support for people living with HIV in Bristol.

UPDATE:

The Queenshilling have wonderfully and graciously allowed us the use of their venue for the event, at no cost. We will therefore no longer need funding for the venue, and are reducing the reward level amounts to reflect this. Thank You Queenshilling!!! This allows us to concentrate on raising money for Brigstowe!

Why:

HIV has been one of the scariest acronyms of modern times. 35,000,000 people worldwide are living with the virus, and experiences of those diagnosed vary hugely. It is with pride that we in the UK can claim to be one of the best places in the world to be diagnosed with HIV. With access to the most effective medications, high levels of healthcare, and a knowledgable and supportive social sector, as well as discrimination laws that support those living with HIV, over 100,000 people in the UK living with the condition can hopefully have confidence in being able to live long, healthy, and hopefully happy lives. The real life experience can however be very much at odds with this. Those affected still experience high levels of stigma, discrimination, isolation, mental health issues, and economic hardship, despite the positive developments in managing the condition over the past 15 years. As well as the issues for those already diagnosed, the number of new diagnoses are rising rapidly, and Bristol has recently been designated a high prevelance area, reaching record numbers of new diagnoses over the past few years. 

About Brigstowe:

Brigstowe are celebrating their 21st Birthday in 2016, and that is 21 years of supporting those living with HIV in Bristol, and raising awareness of HIV in the city. 100,000 people in the UK are living with HIV, and while the outlook for people living with HIV is brighter than ever, those affected still experience high levels of stigma, discrimination, isolation, mental health issues, and economic hardship. Brigstowe works with people living with HIV to support them around their health, housing, social welfare and mental health needs. At 21, Brigstowe is busier than ever, with a rapidly growing base of people requiring their services. 

The services that Brigstowe provide include advice, support, education & training, peer mentoring and social activities for those living with HIV. To find out in more detail about the work done by Brigstowe check out their website at www.brigstowe.org

About Lushious Works:

Lushious Works productions is a non-profit production company that manages and runs comedy and cabaret events. This team is behind the cabaret stage of Glastonbury festival's Cabaret Tent, so we know how to get top talent. We are now concentrating on running events in Bristol that highlight good causes and support the work they do, whilst helping them to engage with the public in ways they may not have considered. Lushious Works is now keen to support Brigstowe in their mission to help those living with HIV to have happy and healthy lives, free from misinformation and unfair treatment.

PLEDGE NOW AND HELP US SHOW THAT WE'RE STILL FIGHTING!