On the 23rd of March 2020…
… the country came to a standstill. Entertainment, Events and Hospitality venues all shut their doors for what we were told would be a three-week period.
Almost one year on, many doors are still firmly closed and all of those working within them are without a job, and a sense of purpose.
These industries all give incredible service, entertainment, and joy to everyone, it is time we give something back to them.
work from home if you can…
Millions of people all over the country work in jobs that are simply impossible to do from home. Performers require an audience, restaurants require customers and people in the events industry require attendees.
Without these jobs, people lose their sense of self-worth, they lose their reason for getting up every morning.
The Stardust Foundation has been founded to give back to those that have been most affected by job losses this year – those in the Hospitality, Events, and Entertainment industries, through grants and training.
Job losses in the Hospitality Sector are far higher than any other
So, our aim is to raise awareness, Save Lives and Save Careers of those within the creative industries through private grants and funding.
the foundation
This is the only charity to be giving private funding grants for those out of work and in need within the hospitality industry.
The campaign is already gaining huge momentum with many celebrities putting their names to this incredible cause.
With the recent news of Theatres, Events, and Hospitality closing in many areas yet again, there has never been a more important time to make noise and rally the government for change.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Music. A means of comfort on a tough day. A way to escape. A soundtrack to allow you to silly dance your troubles away. A pathway to memories and emotions.How many times has music helped you through hard times? Now Music needs your help.
Musicians all over the world are out of work, with no clear sign as to when they can restart. In some regions of the UK, it is still illegal to sing inside. Many of these people fall through the gap for government funding and desperately need support.
THEATRE
The Arts create escapism. Theatre allows people to be transported to another place. It allows them to cry, laugh, and feel joyous.Performers train years, for even the chance to be seen for a part in a show. Imagine focusing on one goal for your entire life, then a few months before graduating, the government tells you that your job isn’t viable anymore, you should retrain.
How would you cope through lockdown without movies and TV shows? The arts are important, and they need your support.
EVENTS
The UK events industry is worth £84 Billion, and has been almost entirely closed since March 2020.The event world feels forgotten. An industry that has created incredible, cherished moments for so many, and everyone has turn their backs on it.
Virtual events are not a replacement for in person events. We are able to make them safe, we just need to be given a chance.
THE FUTURE
Whilst this has been a very difficult time for many, it is also a time for celebration. With the news of a vaccine and rapid testing, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. These industries are ready to come back fighting.
Throughout 2021, The Stardust Foundation will hold star-studded micro events, to raise awareness, and to celebrate these industries. We hope to create a live event at the end of the year, offering not only entertainment, but jobs for the industry.
As well as this, we will be streaming the event live into the homes of thousands of people. The event aims to raise £650,000, to represent the 650 thousand jobs that are estimated to have been lost in Hospitality since the pandemic began.
Throughout 2021, The Stardust Foundation will hold star-studded micro events, to raise awareness, and to celebrate these industries. We hope to create a live event at the end of the year, offering not only entertainment, but jobs for the industry.
As well as this, we will be streaming the event live into the homes of thousands of people. The event aims to raise £650,000, to represent the 650 thousand jobs that are estimated to have been lost in Hospitality since the pandemic began.
MEET THE TEAM
Pre Covid, our team members worked internationally as DJs, Music Producers, Performers, Event Planners and more.
We have experienced the closure of our industries first hand. Eight voices are not enough, we need your help to be heard.
Help us make a difference.
We have experienced the closure of our industries first hand. Eight voices are not enough, we need your help to be heard.
Help us make a difference.
Lucy Beckwith /
Founder
Stardust LDN Founder, Lucy is a 21st century mumtrepruneur. Born into the entrepreneurial Beckwith family, at the age of 31 she has already worked across various industries and been involved in over twenty business ventures.
With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, Lucy organically found a gap in London’s Winter event market. After extensive research, she built a model that became the brand we know today as Stardust LDN – allowing us to Escape the mundane!
Following the catastrophic year of 2020, Lucy’s pro-active role in small business support within the hospitality and events industry meant that when the opportunity arose to transform the Stardust brand into a supporting foundation, she jumped at the chance. This prospect will allow her team to raise awareness and join forces with other like-minded entrepreneurs and businesses to give back to others to SAVE LIVES. SAVE CAREERS.
Dean Catney / Co-Founder
Dean is Co-founder of the City Events Umbrella. Hosting an interesting background within the entertainment and hospitality world, Dean has spent many years living across Europe. Working with much loved brands such as O Beach Ibiza, SINTILLATE, HotBed and many of the hottest venues in Europe.
After leaving the warmer climate behind, Dean paired forces with Lucy Beckwith, and they began their creative journey together. Producing the likes of Stardust LDN, Celestial Cinema and Home Edition to name just a few.
Following the catastrophic year of 2020, alongside Lucy, Dean created the Stardust Foundation. This prospect will allow their team to raise awareness and join forces with other like-minded entrepreneurs and businesses to give back to others within the events industry to SAVE LIVES. SAVE CAREERS.
Sharon Kersley/
Project Director
Sharon Kersley has worked in the event and production industry for over 23 years producing hundreds of events within the UK and Internationally and is the Founder of Bam Bam Productions, a successful Production & Events company.
Having worked extensively across all platforms of media for on air, streamed and live, Sharon has built up a portfolio of loyal clients and suppliers along the way working with a wide variety of companies including Sky, HBO, OVO energy, Redbull, Netflix and Manchester United FC.
Mads Bladtkramer /
Music Director
Mads “Klynk” Bladtkramer is a Danish DJ, Producer, Music Director and Artist Manager currently based in London.
After a successful career in the House and Techno scene of Copenhagen, Mads started touring the world under his former DJ alias “Bladtkramer” securing residencies across the globe including America, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro and performing for some of dance music's biggest brands such as Mixmag, Toolroom, Ultra Music Festival, Ministry of Sound and many others. In 2015 as Music Director in Copenhagen for the exclusive cocktail bar Butchers, and the capital’s largest nightclub Hive Nightclub. When booking and collaborating with some of the industry’s biggest names for his lineups, Mads realized he wanted to pursue his own music once again, and in 2019 decided to leave Copenhagen for the electronic music capital of the world, London. Successfully launching his new artist alias “Klynk” and a new position as Music Director for The Stardust Foundation, it is safe to say, even though 2020 has had its setbacks, that the future shines bright on the ever-optimistic Dane.
Paul Lojszczyk /
Music Director
For over a decade, Paul has been bringing the best in dance music to crowds right across the globe as an international DJ and music curator. Learning his craft in the nightclubs of his hometown in Newcastle, Australia, he quickly rose through the DJ ranks and began playing shows at clubs and festivals right across the country. In 2013 Paul moved to the UK, where he was recruited as Head of Music and Resident DJ for The Yacht Week and The Ski Week. For six years he built and managed the musical identity of the businesses, shaping them into the highly regarded music festivals they are today. Paul has worked with industry leading artists such as Gorgon City and Claptone, and collaborated with dance music’s biggest brands and publications such as Mixmag and Ministry of Sound to create world first and world class music events in some of the most unique and challenging locations around the globe.
Hugo Mayhew/
Sponsorship Director
Hugo is the owner of Knightox, a member's events (& experiences) club. The specialize in creating opportunities for young millennials & Gen Z living in London, to branch outside familiar social circles and connect on a personal and professional level with others through diverse experiences. This can be from old fashioned-styled social events to talks, debates and activities.
Proud Partners of CALM Charity: 100% of our joining fee donated to support mental health - a cause at the heart of our business, getting people out to connect in physical environments, over isolation.
Liam Norval /
PR Director
Liam Norval is a hospitality expert based in London and the Founder and CEO of Posh Cockney. He specialises in Marketing, PR, Sales & Operations. Liam has a proven track record in restaurant openings and managing many successful marketing campaigns that have achieved a fantastic ROI for his clients. He continually focuses on business growth using innovative strategies to drive excellence across operations and service.
His other key strengths lie in the ability to build, develop, and manage high performing teams, leading by example and delivering training as a hands-on mentor. Liam is dedicated to achieving high standards and exceptional quality in customer service delivery as well as chairing regular team meetings to share knowledge and best practice.
He combines commercial and financial acumen to control budgets, manage P&L and realise cost savings by effectively negotiating with external suppliers. Liam employs time management and strategic planning throughout his work; project managing end-to-end in order to exceed client expectations.
Emma Bolton /
PR & Comms Manager
Emma has been working in the London Events and Hospitality world for over 7 years and has a great skill for understanding the requirements of her clients.
Creativity has always been one of Emma’s key qualities and that is clear in her writing style and content. She has the ability to capture the personality of a brand and include this in client blogs and press releases. She has built up great relationships with press and journalists and has secured incredible coverage for her clients.
As a former professional dancer, recently returned from contracts that have led her to perform across the world, she has the knowledge and experience to work in high pressure environments, and with people from all walks of life.
Stardust Foundation Partner Companies
