Virtual nightclub will raise money for Brighton's homeless

A group of friends based in the Brighton area have raised more than £1,500 for Emmaus UK, who support homeless people, by holding virtual club nights online called House@Home.
House at Home TeamHouse at Home Team
House at Home Team

Pandora George explains: “On Saturday, June 13, the team will be holding a festival-style event starting at 7.30pm. A choice of live events will take place including live performances, cocktail demonstration, musical bingo and more. Revellers are encouraged to dig out their favourite festival accessories from the back of the wardrobe and join in the fun. For more details go to the House at Home Facebook page.

“In January 2020, Rupert and Jo Maitland, Paul Frater, Catherine Henderson, Tim Rabjohns, Noel Priddey and Paul Sansbury set-up House@Home in order to raise funds via club nights in Brighton to give something back to the local community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Covid-19 lockdown meant that the inaugural March club night was sadly postponed. Not wishing to disappoint Emmaus Sussex, the group decided to take the party to the people by holding an online virtual club night using the Zoom platform. And little did they know how relevant the House@Home Club name had become!

“Co-ordinating three DJ’s from Brighton, Lewes and London, the group managed to overcome many technical difficulties and host a fantastic virtual club night on April 11 2020, raising over £1,000 from generous friends and party-goers.

“The success of the fundraising event proved to the House@Home team that people still want to come together and enjoy themselves even in these troubling times. Their remit now is to give more people who are experiencing social isolation the opportunity to connect with others in a virtual party environment all in a great cause.

“On April 25, the House@Home team hosted a surprise 60th party for a friend who would have otherwise not marked his birthday in this sociable way. Over 100 households joined in across the globe with guests visiting the online party from Australia, California, London and Brighton. And, subsequently, the team have had two other requests to host their big online birthday parties; providing another opportunity for friends to share the love during lockdown whilst raising vital funds for Emmaus.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Founder Rupert Maitland said: “People obviously feel the need to do something with their time, seeing friends virtually but more importantly want to do something to help others. It seems to be bringing out the altruistic side in people. The money they would have spent on bar tabs and taxis home is now generously donated to our chosen charity which is what we at the House@Home team love and are all about.

“Emmaus UK have recently issued a warning that donations have waned during the Covid pandemic and, as a result, they are struggling to support those most in danger of homelessness, increasing the need to host events to raise important funds.

“The success of House@Home parties to date really does prove that we can share the love on lockdown!

“If anybody would like to be involved in these charitable parties whilst connecting with others, please like and follow House at Home on Facebook or go to our Just Giving Page to donate https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/house-at-home Here you can have fun virtually whilst we get through the lockdown, together. Our real-life club night will be held at The Rialto Theatre in Brighton date tbc.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For details of the House at Home Festival taking place on Saturday June 13 from 7.30pm-1am go to the House at Home Facebook page.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

*************

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Gary Shipton

Editorial Director

Related topics: