UK - Clay Paky's President and CEO Pasquale Quadri presented the lighting industry charity Light Relief with a substantial donation at this year's glittering Knight of Illumination Awards in London.

Quadri, who is the 'Paky' - a shortened version of his first name - in Clay Paky, handed the cheque for £5,000 to Light Relief's Rick Fisher to help the charity provide practical support to lighting designers experiencing extreme financial hardship.

Clay Paky is already heavily involved with the lighting industry, not just as a manufacturer of much specified entertainment lighting fixtures but also as a main sponsor and organiser of the KOI Awards and as corporate sponsor of Light Relief.

Pio Nahum, chief commercial officer for Clay Paky discusses, "Without the lighting designers who use our equipment so imaginatively and who willingly feedback to our R&D Clay Paky could not be so successful. It's important to us that we acknowledge our appreciation and offer our support to those individuals who need it. Light Relief is the perfect way for us to do this. The charity sensitively plays an important role in our industry and we appreciate that. It also enables everyone who is currently reaping the benefits of working in such a fantastic and stimulating industry to help those who, for whatever reason, are experiencing tough times. The work that Light Relief does, not just financially but also in terms of the practical support it offers is impressive. We at Clay Paky are extremely proud to be associated with it."

"Most lighting designers and technicians work freelance," continues Rick Fisher. "They earn a living through talent and hard, demanding, physical work, often working very anti-social hours. Like most freelance people, they don't earn money unless they work, so sickness, physical injuries or domestic crises can lead to sudden, dramatic falls in income. This, in turn, affects not just them but also their families. We are therefore delighted to have the generous support of Clay Paky and will put the company's kind donation to excellent use."