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RIPTIDE WRESTLING CREATES PRIDE STICKERS FOR LGBT SWITCHBOARD
TOGETHERFEST FUNDRAISER
) Brighton-based Riptide Wrestling can’t stage shows at present due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but is finding several ways of keeping busy, one of which is helping to raise money for LGBT Switchboard. The company has had to change direction and is putting more focus on its online community, video editing and its merchandise store “in ways we didn’t have before,” says Josh Bevan, who owns the company. Part of this has seen the creation of some Pride stickers, with 100% of profits made going to LGBT Switchboard. Justine Colla, marketing manager, told how Riptide Wrestling has supported the LGBTQ+ community. “Pride has been entwined with Riptide’s history from the beginning and a recolouring of our bestselling stickers into Pride flag colours is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.” Even better is the fact that they can help LGBT Switchboard, “a Brighton-based charity we really care about.” The artwork for the stickers is the work of Brett Jones. There are eight stickers covering: Asexual Pride, Bisexual Pride, Gay Pride, Genderqueer Pride, Lesbian Pride, Non-Binary Pride, Pansexual Pride and Trans Pride. The stickers are £2 each or you can buy a set of eight for £10. Switchboard are delighted with the fundraiser and tweeted that ‘the wonderful people at RIPTIDE Wrestling are supporting us with these amazing Pride stickers’.
REBEL KINNEY & CASSIUS PIC BY ROB BRAZIER
Riptide Wrestling shows are filmed by Brighton-based Wild Stag Studios. To watch them, visit: https://RIPTIDEwrestling.pivotshare.com/ For more info, visit: www.riptidewrestling.com or follow @RIPTIDEwres. To buy the stickers, visit: https://RIPTIDEwrestling.bigcartel.com For more info on Switchboard, visit: www.switchboard.org.uk
Melissa Douglas, lead singer from Stranger Girl, said: “So many people have experienced loneliness and now it’s worse than ever. I took part in TogetherFest because we can make a difference. Together Co does so much to help people realise they’re not alone, and that people do care. Community is so important right now and we need to all try to do our bit to help.”
CASSIUS PIC BY JAMESMUSSELWHITE
Riptide has held shows in Brighton since 2017, mainly at the Brighthelm Centre, featuring some of the top British and overseas talent. Last year they also held an outdoor show. Cassius, a gay wrestler from London, overcame the odds and won the Pride of Brighton title at the Brighton Open Air Theatre. Later in the year at Combat Panto he retained his title in a match against Brightonborn Rebel Kinney. The company has a zerotolerance policy towards homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism and ableism. That doesn’t stop their fans giving the villains a tough time though. 2018 saw them run a three-night tournament over Pride weekend. The ropes were adorned in rainbow tape as Chuck Mambo became the first Brighton champion.
) Together Co, the Brighton & Hovebased charity that exists to end loneliness, hosted a virtual music festival, TogetherFest, on Saturday, May 30 that saw more than 20 bands perform to raise money to help the most vulnerable and isolated. Local bands including Stranger Girl, Luna Blue, Melissa Bel and Dakka Skanks, performed a mini gig, that you can watch for free via Youtube, Instagram and Facebook. Everyone taking part gave their time for free to encourage people to find out about new music in Brighton then donate to support Together Co’s essential work.
Together Co Befriending has seen a 781% increase in referrals compared to the same period last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Every single pound raised by the virtual festival will make a difference - from helping train more volunteers to deliver food or offer friendly phone chats. It will also help develop resources to support a citywide response to loneliness.
Jo Crease, CEO of Together Co, added: “Loneliness has direct impact on every aspect of health and, since lockdown, we’ve seen the situation in Brighton & Hove dramatically worsen as people have been forced to isolate. For those already extremely vulnerable, it’s made even basic everyday tasks such as shopping for food almost impossible. “We believe no one should be isolated which is why we act every day to bring people together and build connections that change lives. TogetherFest is a chance to prove what can be done when a community comes together. A huge thank you to every band that took part and please know every pound raised for us will make a huge difference.” For more info, visit: D www.togetherco.org.uk F @HelloTogetherCo I /HelloTogetherCo/ Y www.youtube.com/channel/UCpKrH FUwfQvn1uiqwxhwiDw/featured
IKEA’S FUNDRAISING RAINBOW BAGS ) To mark IDAHOBIT on Sunday, May 17 and LGBT+ Pride Month in June, IKEA has announced it will be selling an LGBTQ+ rainbow flag version of its iconic blue frakta bag with 100% of profits distributed to support local LGBTQ+ initiatives, charities and causes chosen by IKEA stores across the UK and Ireland. The Storstomma bag, which will cost £1.50, aims to promote standing up against discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community and promoting equal rights not only on IDAHOBIT but every day. Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability officer of IKEA UK and Ireland, said: “Our culture is centred on the value of togetherness. We believe equality is a human right and that everyone deserves a home where they can be themselves. We know lockdown will disproportionately affect the LGBTQ+ community. With many isolated from their support
networks, and with Pride celebrations postponed, it’s never been more important to show our support and encourage everyone to provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and ‘be someone’s home’. “We’ll donate 100% of profits from the Storstomma bag to the important work being carried out by local LGBTQ+ initiatives, charities and causes that have been chosen by IKEA stores across the UK and Ireland.” For more info, visit: www.ikea.com