Event production professional David Walmsley has handed over a £4,000 donation to Backup Tech after running 30 marathons in 30 consecutive days, completing a route from the Isle of Skye to London. The presentation took place at the ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace on 3 June, where Walmsley formally marked the conclusion of his month-long fundraising effort.
The challenge, which saw him cover more than 780 miles, was created to raise funds and awareness for Backup Tech, the UK charity that provides financial and welfare support to technical and production professionals across the live events, theatre and entertainment sectors.
Background: supporting technical professionals in hardship
Backup Tech (commonly known as Backup) exists to assist individuals in the technical and production communities who find themselves in financial crisis, often through injury, illness, or sudden unemployment. The organisation has become increasingly visible in recent years as the events and entertainment industries recovered from the impact of the pandemic, when many freelancers and behind-the-scenes specialists faced prolonged periods without work.
Backup’s remit includes grants for day-to-day living costs, medical treatment, mental health services and other essential support for crew and technicians working across concerts, touring, theatre, festivals, corporate events and live experiences. The charity is funded entirely through donations, fundraising initiatives, partnerships and industry campaigns.
For event technology suppliers, production companies and venues, Backup has become a reference point for welfare support, particularly for freelance crews who often lack the safety nets available in other sectors. Walmsley’s challenge adds to a growing number of community-driven initiatives designed to bolster those support mechanisms.
Key development: 30 marathons in 30 days
Walmsley’s self-set endurance project involved running a full marathon distance every day for 30 days, starting on the Isle of Skye and finishing in London. The route symbolically connected a remote Scottish location with the UK capital, reflecting the geographic spread of the live events workforce and the touring nature of many productions.
Having completed the challenge, Walmsley presented a £4,000 cheque to Lee Dennison, chair and trustee of Backup Tech, during the ABTT Theatre Show. The annual event, held at Alexandra Palace, gathers theatre and live performance professionals, including technical suppliers, venue operators, production managers and technology manufacturers.
The backdrop of a specialist theatre and performance technology exhibition gave the handover additional relevance, placing the story of personal endurance and charitable support squarely in front of an audience of technicians, engineers and production decision-makers.
Industry impact and sector response
While £4,000 is a modest sum in the context of the wider events economy, such targeted fundraising can be significant for individuals receiving emergency grants. A single donation can translate into rent support, treatment costs or specialist counselling for multiple beneficiaries, particularly freelancers operating without guaranteed income or long-term contracts.
For the events community, efforts like Walmsley’s carry a symbolic weight beyond the immediate financial contribution. They highlight ongoing concerns about the resilience and wellbeing of backstage staff who are critical to delivering conferences, exhibitions, tours and hybrid events, yet often remain unseen and unsupported when projects end or schedules slow.
The visibility of the presentation at a theatre technology show also serves as a reminder to suppliers and organisers that crew welfare remains a live issue. Industry charities, trade associations and welfare-led campaigns are increasingly encouraging organisations to factor mental health resources, financial advice and support pathways into their workforce planning.
Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers
For event organisers, production companies and technology vendors, the story underscores several operational and strategic considerations:
- Workforce sustainability: Technical teams are central to the delivery of complex live, virtual and hybrid experiences. Ensuring there are support structures in place for when things go wrong helps protect a skilled labour pool that is already under pressure from staff shortages and high demand.
- Duty of care expectations: Corporate clients, venues and agencies are increasingly being scrutinised on how they treat staff and freelancers. Awareness of charities such as Backup gives employers and contractors a credible referral point when crew members experience hardship.
- Wellbeing as a business risk factor: Burnout, injury and mental health issues can disrupt projects and increase costs. Proactive engagement with welfare initiatives can help mitigate those risks by signalling that support is available and stigma is being challenged.
- Community-led initiatives: Walmsley’s marathon effort is an example of bottom-up action from within the industry. Such initiatives can help align teams around shared values, strengthen professional networks and enhance the sector’s collective resilience.
- Reputation and recruitment: Younger professionals and technicians entering the sector are increasingly attentive to how industries treat their people. Active support for welfare charities can positively influence perceptions of the live events and event technology fields.
In practical terms, event businesses might look at integrating signposting to Backup and similar organisations into onboarding packs, crew briefings, HR documentation and freelancer communications. For technology providers, supporting or amplifying these efforts can complement existing ESG and CSR strategies.
Conclusion: keeping crew welfare in focus
Walmsley’s completion of 30 marathons in 30 days, culminating in a £4,000 donation to Backup Tech at the ABTT Theatre Show, highlights the role that individual initiatives can play in sustaining industry welfare resources. While the live events and event technology sectors continue to innovate around formats, platforms and production techniques, the wellbeing of the technicians and crew who make these experiences possible remains a core issue.
As demand for conferences, exhibitions, tours and hybrid events grows, charities like Backup are likely to remain a critical part of the support landscape. Walmsley’s challenge and the platform given to the donation at a major theatre and performance technology event underline an ongoing message for the sector: technical excellence and human resilience are closely linked, and both require continued investment.