Lights, camera, action! proAV support local charity

It’s been challenging times for us all and for charities like White Lodge this is no exception. But despite the challenges something really exciting has taken place this week with the opening of their very own in-house cinema!

Opened by White Lodge Patron Diana Moran BEM with contributions from another White Lodge Patron, Gemma Bissix, the cinema room is here thanks to Ian Morrish, founder of Together For Cinema, and proAV who have been supporting White Lodge for many years. 

“We are very privileged to be Together For Cinema’s 25th Cinema installation for UK charities. Having this new facility is incredible as we are now bringing the power of cinema to White Lodge. We can easily accommodate 10 or more people at one time and we have the ability to manage the light and the noise levels to suit our users which is brilliant. We can share some movie blockbusters and Disney classics but also use the big screen to show some special interest nature programmes like the BBC’s Frozen Planet which so many of our members love and adore. It’s been a great collaborative effort with proAV and one that also involves local companies and community groups. The installation was managed and installed by proAV, who, with Together For Cinema, worked tirelessly to make this happen in very challenging conditions”.

Ian says, “In 2010 I set a personal target for Together For Cinema of 25 charitable cinema room installations by 2020. I am delighted to now see this goal satisfied with White Lodge being our 25th. This also takes us well over the £½ million mark for the normal ‘paid for’ value of these cinema rooms. The Audio Visual industry’s support has been staggering and CEDIA, our trade association, has backed Together For Cinema over the years and recognised it’s achievements. The next chapter begins now and maybe we’ll look at another 25 installations by 2030…?! Enjoy your new facility White Lodge and as l’m local I may pop in for a movie and some popcorn!”

He adds, “In 2010 I set a personal target for Together For Cinema of 25 charitable cinema room installations by 2020. I am delighted to now see this goal satisfied with White Lodge being our 25th. This also takes us well over the £½ million mark for the normal ‘paid for’ value of these cinema rooms. The Audio Visual industry’s support has been staggering and CEDIA, our trade association, has backed Together For Cinema over the years and recognised it’s achievements. The next chapter begins now and maybe we’ll look at another 25 installations by 2030…?! Enjoy your new facility White Lodge and as l’m local I may pop in for a movie and some popcorn!”

Amy Amesbury, PR and Marketing Manager for proAV said, “proAV is proud to have supported White Lodge for many years. With our head office based in Egham we are a local business and have done a great deal of fundraising for the charity. In 2019 we partnered up with Together for Cinema with the idea of creating an experience at the Centre and so the cinema room plan was born. We are delighted to have been a part of this installation and hope it will provide many years of enjoyment for the very many people that use and work at White Lodge’. 

Thanks also extend to Belron International and the Masons within the Runnymede community who helped renovate the room with extra fixtures and furniture to complete this transformational project.

Lesley Robbins, White Lodge CEO says, “The contribution this cinema room will make to the lives of so many children and adults with disabilities is immense. Accessing cinemas can be a challenge for so many people who come to White Lodge, so they often miss out on this great visual experience that we all take for granted. Its come at a time when people have also felt more isolated than ever so this will bring happiness and joy to so many. It will be much used and much loved and we want to thank everyone involved in getting this up and running in these unprecedented times.”