Many Happy Returns for Benny
(
07/03/2012)
Big Finish Productions is pleased to announce a very special release to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of archaeologist and adventurer Bernice Summerfield.
Many Happy Returns will be a unique feature-length drama where every penny will go to supporting the charity Invest in ME.
'Jac Rayner first approached Big Finish about possibly doing a small charity download late last year,' explains producer Scott Handcock. 'Gary Russell and I discussed the idea with David Richardson and quickly came to the conclusion that the
Bernice Summerfield range would be the perfect platform - not least because of Jac's close connections with the character. So I started sounding out a few actors, writers, sound designers - as you do - and nobody we asked said no... so it ended up being the sort of epic rolling adventure we never anticipated!'
'It's amazing how many people have donated their time not only for Jac's charity, but for what will hopefully be a very special release for
Benny fans. We've tried to reunite as many familiar faces as possible. It's the
Bernice Summerfield equivalent of
The Five Doctors - twenty years, a whole host of old friends, and all in the name of charity! I know I speak for everyone involved when I say it's been an absolute pleasure, honour and delight to work on - and one of the maddest days in studio we've ever had!'
Invest in ME works to raise awareness and funding into research of ME, a serious neuro-immune condition that affects 250,000 people in the United Kingdom. Its latest project - Let's Do It For ME! - is a patient-driven campaign raising vital funds for a Centre of Excellence at the University of East Anglia. The centre aims to translate scientific findings and evidence from research into applicable treatments for people suffering from ME, focussing on immunology and virology.
Big Finish stalwart Scott Handcock will also be running the Edinburgh Marathon in May on behalf of Invest in ME. For more information - or to sponsor him - please visit
www.justgiving.com/scott-handcock/Many Happy Returns will be released for download only later in the year. Please click on the link to pre-order and for full details on what the adventure has in store!