FUZE Bristol raise £23,500 for local charities with 2021 annual show

FUZE Bristol raise £23,500 for local charities with 2021 annual show

Posted on: 22 Jun 2021

FUZE hosted their 'Utopia' showcase at Lakota Gardens earlier this month.

 

Student-run collective FUZE Bristol have unveiled the fundraising total from their 2021 annual show, having recently taken over Lakota Gardens for their latest fusion of music, dance fashion and more.

 

Taking place across two days at the iconic Stokes Croft venue, 'Utopia' saw the FUZE team explore notions of perfection and 'the new normal' as part of one of their most ambitious events to date.

 

Over £23,500 in donations will be allocated directly to Black South West Network and Art Refuge, who push for equal representation in the creative sector and use art therapy to support the mental wellbeing of displaced people, respectively.

 

 

Launched in 2003 as an annual fashion show, FUZE is one of the UK’s largest student-run creative organisations. The project has developed over the years into a practical networking hub for creatives and a vital platform for young people in and around Bristol.

 

Well over 200 people now make up the FUZE community, from models and dancers to artists, musicians and designers, led by a core team of directors that change over each year.

 

Months of hard work and organisation go into their flagship annual event, an innovative fusion of music, fashion, performance art and more. The show usually takes place in the Spring, but was rescheduled to June this year due to COVID-related restrictions.

 

 

FUZE's fundraising efforts in 2021 represent another huge step forward for the group's support of local charities, adding to more than £120,000 donated in the years prior. 

 

Speaking to FUZE this week, Black South West Network said they were "delighted" the event was such a success, and that they plan to use their portion of the proceeds making improvements to their HQ in St Paul's, making it more accessible for black-led businesses, organisations and community groups.

 

Art Refuge, meanwhile, said they intend to reinvest donations directly into delivering front line projects with displaced people in and around Bristol and those who support them

 

“We have minimal infrastructure so every pound counts,” they added.

 

For more information on FUZE, to find out how you can get involved or to follow news and updates from the team, head to their website or find them on Twitter.

 

Main Image: Alice Sutton

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.