Pedal powered festive fundraiser evening for Purple Field Productions

On the 18th December we packed up the cycle generators and headed West to an evening of festive film, fun and fundraising in Bristol.  Our destination and venue was the outdoor big top at The Tobacco Factory and our mission was to raise funds for Purple Field Productions, long-standing friends of ours who are based in Bristol and whose good work we greatly admire.  They produce educational films for those less fortunate than us in the developing world (please check them out and support them!).

It was a very chilly night and as the event was essentially an open air cinema warm clothing was a must - mulled wine, hot chocolate and bagging a bike for a pedal also helped greatly in the quest to keep warm.  Our main feature was Santa Clause: The Movie, but we were entertained pre-film by the very gorgeous and talented Chicapella.

As well as the dulcit tones of the girls, we were also charmed by some great guitar playing by Matt Grinter, and Peter from PFP gave a short talk prior to each of the two film showings explaining the good that the raised funds would be put to.

We had a strong crowd at the second showing in particular and the atmosphere in the big top was great - with smells of popcorn and mulled wine in the air.  A large thanks as always goes to our volunteer pedallers who donate their legs and energy while having to keep one eye on the film and the other on the power monitor.

The movie selection proved a very popular choice with the audience, as did Carrie-Anne's inspired special effect - a borrowed snow machine was unleashed at a timely moment in the film.

Our bicycle cinemas are always enjoyed and smiling faces and enthusiastic feedback all round as people left was as great to see as it always is.  Special mentions go to Carrie-Anne Lewis - our dedicated volunteer event organiser, The Tobacco Factory who lent us the space, Ranzo Cycles who lent us the bicycles, and to Studio Canal for allowing us the film licence.  Many thanks also to our generous raffle prize donators, and to all who came and supported, and braved the cold Bristol evening.

For more photos and details of all our supporters and donators please click here.