Just an initial question at the moment - with a follow up post later, depending on replies.

Yes I would do it for a good cause..

but it would have to be just the one or two not loads of them..

I did 3 last year! I'm sure i could do some more this year, it's always nice to help, plus it get's your name out there and often results in more bookings

Bubbles

used to do at least 6 a year until i discovered how much money actualy goes to the cause and how much goes to administrative costs. eg the red cross during last years tsunami disaster fund ,if you gave £10 then £1 actualy went to help the victims. I use doctors with no borders who refuse to take money once they have got in what they need for projects and who just send medical personnel /supplies to places who need it !

I've voted yes although I already do them for local hospital.Gets the name about etc.

Yes If not already working ,gain lots of brownie point , the other sat help out a mate from local radio and ended up with nice pics and write up in local rag for free

I voted yes also - I already do primary school my daughter attends as a freebie for the PTA for the children normally only a couple of hours and mid-week so dosent actually effect normal work.
Also helps to promote your name and disco no reason just cause ita a freebie you cant have some b/cards, promotional material lying about.

I only do charity work

I would do a charity gig as long as it meets my general criteria - I only work weekends, the charity is something I agree with (read C.S.'s comments above) and the gig is one I wouldn't mind doing - i.e. if the room was full of 18 year olds, then I wouldn't be too interested.

Doing one tonight at a local school for Nspcc....... or at least my 2 roadies are.

already got 2 booked for this year
jim

2 of the Local radio stations have charity auction days to raise money for local kids etc. I always donate a 2 hour kids party as an auction item... money raised stays local plus i get quite a bit of radio advertising from it.

Did about 3 last year, and well worth doing, it does not take alot and it gives you a good image, let alone that warm feeling inside!!

yes, for the right client anytime.

If Mencap counts then one nearly every week for about the last 16 years! Monday evenings or Thursday afternoons for two hours. Mainly small PA system. Karaoke and Disco 200w x200w Rms.

Also do other Gigs for Local Supporting People groups and other Learning Disability Groups. Usually do about 12 "Full Kit "Lights etc per year.

Did three in December last year.

Will I stop doing them ..no..only lack of kit and poor health will stop me.

Jimbo

I do 4 discos a year for my local St John Ambulance for free

i do 2 or 3 a year for my mates club where i store my gear so don't mind that.

Did my one for this year on a Saturday night in January....

There's one more which I will do later on in the year for a local Hospice which an old DJ friend (!!) is currently in, if asked, but last years event was not much of a success due to it being held on a Saturday night, when most DJs were working elsewhere.

But as I am now a definite "part-timer" with a full time day job, I can afford to do the odd night free (or cheap)

No

Charity begins at home

Heartless maybe, but true.

Do a few cheapies but never freebies.

For the past few years I have generally given my services FOC for the same 3 local charities.

We have 3 charities we support.

2 are local, St Joseph's Hospice and a local handicapped group who we do a fund-raiser and a Christmas party for.

The other is GOSHCC, Great Ormond Streets charity. That is because I owe them for the care and treatment they gave my grandson. At 3 months he had a hole in the heart repaired there. I have never had such a bad day, walking around with my daughter, waiting to find out how it went. 6 hours of agony. I vowed to repay them at least the cost of the operation. (£6000)

He's 9 now and worth every penny.

I did 2 last year localy there good pr as already shown but alson gives you a very good feeling that you have helped some one.
Pete

Working charity functions is great.
Have provided a number of services for free over the years to various organisations and fund raisers but now support one Hospice Charity in Kent twice a year (Fancy Dress Disco).

I'm doing the National Association of Bikers wtih a Disability Mad March Trike Day on April 5th at the Ace Cafe

All ready in the process of sorting out this years charity event for cancer research...

Should be on a Friday... will let all know but im sure your all be busy !!

I have done, and am again in March.
No problem with helping out on the fund-raising front. Many local charities just couldn't justify paying full rates for a disco, and yet with a bar this represents a brilliant way to make money.

I remember one event in particular in the local village raised over 400 quid from the one event - that was cash on the door and sales of booze. Maybe I could have charged for that one, but the freebie was very much appreciated and I got further work directly from it, but above all it was a very memorable night.

I wouldn't want people to extract the micturation and start expecting it on a regular basis though.

Yes, but I can only do a limited number of free charity events a year, so it needs to be one that I feel is worth me putting my time and effort in to (not just DJing, but other fundraising).