Local charity, The Basement Door has launched a crowdfunder to help open up more options to local young people interested in working in event management.

The Basement Door is a Richmond based charity, which helps young people learn new skills, build confidence and make connections, all through their passion for music. 

They give young people training and education in every aspect of event management, such as lighting and sound engineering. 

They are hoping that the crowdfunder will help them to continue to be able to put on gigs, to continue training young people in backstage and event management and help young people's mental health and happiness.

Kev, the managing director of The Basement Door said: "The idea is that young people get into work experience and then hopefully get into industry. 

"We have a young man called Seamus at the moment who is now Ambersphere Lighting, one of the biggest lighting companies in the world. 

"He's done Eurovision this year, he's done Ed Sheeran's lights, he's worked at Glastonbury.

"He's had all this experience and he's only 18 – he's got all of this from us training him to start with and then he's picked it up and taken it on further." 

He added: "There's so many cuts to youth services and young people have a lot of fears about the world at the moment and we give them a safe place to come and learn and meet other young people. 

"They don't necessarily have to have a background in music it's just about supporting young people mainly and by people donating we can provide the equipment they need to learn more and strengthen our contacts. "

The final of their battle of the bands competition is taking place at St Mellitus Church next Saturday (23 March).

There are five junior and five senior bands involved in the finals.

Activities such as the battle of the bands give local young people a safe place to learn about performing and to improve their skills.

You can donate to the crowdfunded here.