Update- Help Tim after his fall down a lift shaft
Donation protected
I am raising this appeal for my dear friend and colleague Tim Hamper; head sound engineer at KOKO for 14 years. He has done so much to help myself and others- sharing his knowledge, humour, training up engineers and helping people get a break, going the extra mile to make sure bands have a great show and generally being an amazing dude to be around.
Many of you will know that in November 2016, Tim had an accident at work, falling 5m down a lift shaft. He is lucky to be alive, but after smashing his hip and fracturing his back, he will never recover fully enough to be lifting and shifting sound gear, running up and down stairs or doing the work that he loves in the same way again. And although KOKO admitted liability immediately, the payout has still not come.
3 years on Tim is still in a lot of pain, can only walk short distances and is in need, of future surgeries. Despite these set backs, Tim loves his job and has done his best to return to work. After over a year of recovery, he was able to return to KOKO, with support from his colleagues. But shortly after his return, KOKO closed down for refurbishment. He started other freelance engineering work, but without the extra support, the physical demands of the work caused him to damage his hip further and was unable to continue. To add to this, the death of both Tim and his partner’s fathers in 2019 meant more time off work, funeral costs, plane tickets to the US… His partner is disabled and so they both rely almost entirely on Tim’s income.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that since the accident, Tim and Shireen have managed to start up Viva Recorders recording studio with all the amazing kit they have collected over the last 20 years. A job where Tim can use his skills and do what he loves, whilst sitting down and moving at his own pace. New businesses take time to get going, but it has started to become sustainable and promises to grow into a successful business. Tim has recorded and produced a film soundtrack, aswell as many albums. His recording for Al Joshua made single of the week on 6 music! Musicians love the studio and working with Tim and Shireen. It is a rare gem of a place; full of vintage equipment, totally unique and a real asset to the musical community.
Just as things are looking up, there is a major set back, as debt from the time Tim was unable to work is now threatening to lose them their studio and only source of income. The most frustrating thing is that this money and more is owed to him by KOKO in lost earnings. But apart from a couple of interim contributions which have not been enough to live off, there has still been no pay out. The Insurance company are dragging their heels and seems the process will still take many months or even years to settle. Unfortunately Tim’s landlord will not wait this long for payment and they are in imminent danger of losing the studio. We can help Tim, by raising the money needed to keep hold of the studio- his only source of income and his raison d’etre!
A massive Thankyou to everyone who helped already to raise money in 2017 to support Tim. It was so appreciated and a real life saver during his first year of recovery. But we are not quite out of the woods yet. I understand if you have already donated, you may not be able to afford to do so again, but any help is much appreciated. If we manage to clear his debt, he can continue to build his business and make a sustainable income for the long term.
Thankyou
K
Many of you will know that in November 2016, Tim had an accident at work, falling 5m down a lift shaft. He is lucky to be alive, but after smashing his hip and fracturing his back, he will never recover fully enough to be lifting and shifting sound gear, running up and down stairs or doing the work that he loves in the same way again. And although KOKO admitted liability immediately, the payout has still not come.
3 years on Tim is still in a lot of pain, can only walk short distances and is in need, of future surgeries. Despite these set backs, Tim loves his job and has done his best to return to work. After over a year of recovery, he was able to return to KOKO, with support from his colleagues. But shortly after his return, KOKO closed down for refurbishment. He started other freelance engineering work, but without the extra support, the physical demands of the work caused him to damage his hip further and was unable to continue. To add to this, the death of both Tim and his partner’s fathers in 2019 meant more time off work, funeral costs, plane tickets to the US… His partner is disabled and so they both rely almost entirely on Tim’s income.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that since the accident, Tim and Shireen have managed to start up Viva Recorders recording studio with all the amazing kit they have collected over the last 20 years. A job where Tim can use his skills and do what he loves, whilst sitting down and moving at his own pace. New businesses take time to get going, but it has started to become sustainable and promises to grow into a successful business. Tim has recorded and produced a film soundtrack, aswell as many albums. His recording for Al Joshua made single of the week on 6 music! Musicians love the studio and working with Tim and Shireen. It is a rare gem of a place; full of vintage equipment, totally unique and a real asset to the musical community.
Just as things are looking up, there is a major set back, as debt from the time Tim was unable to work is now threatening to lose them their studio and only source of income. The most frustrating thing is that this money and more is owed to him by KOKO in lost earnings. But apart from a couple of interim contributions which have not been enough to live off, there has still been no pay out. The Insurance company are dragging their heels and seems the process will still take many months or even years to settle. Unfortunately Tim’s landlord will not wait this long for payment and they are in imminent danger of losing the studio. We can help Tim, by raising the money needed to keep hold of the studio- his only source of income and his raison d’etre!
A massive Thankyou to everyone who helped already to raise money in 2017 to support Tim. It was so appreciated and a real life saver during his first year of recovery. But we are not quite out of the woods yet. I understand if you have already donated, you may not be able to afford to do so again, but any help is much appreciated. If we manage to clear his debt, he can continue to build his business and make a sustainable income for the long term.
Thankyou
K
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristina Riddington
Organizer
England
Tim Hamper
Beneficiary