Andy Serkis is going on an adventure. Starting at 10am on Friday, May 8 BST (5am EST, 2am PST), the Gollum actor and Venom 2 director will embark on a 12-hour armchair marathon reading of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which will be livestreamed and marked on socials with #Hobbitathon. That’s not all. The Hobbitathon effort is also attached to a GoFundMe, which is set to benefit two charities: NHS Charities Together and Best Beginnings.
I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written. Join me for a 12-hour armchair marathon reading of “The Hobbit”, in aid of two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need@NHSuk @bestbeginnings #hobbitathon pic.twitter.com/q8qIO3diPT
— Andy Serkis (@andyserkis) May 7, 2020
NHS Charities Together is an umbrella organization housing all of the NHS’s official charities, which helps people to stay engaged with their health, care and wellbeing so they can stay healthy and help manage any long-term health conditions. In the 6 weeks since the U.K. began taking action against COVID-19, the NHS has already raised over £100 million.
Best Beginnings is dedicated to reducing inequalities by working with families between preconception and a child’s third birthday, when the foundations for long term physical, mental and language development are laid. Serkis has also served as ambassador for Best Beginnings for over six years.
Funds raised from the Hobbitathon will be split equally between the two organizations and, Serkis adds in the GoFundMe description that “If we hit our target of £100,000, there may be a special surprise later in our journey.”
In the few hours since Serkis announced the #Hobbitathon, the fund has already brought in 2,100 donations totaling over £32,000. Help him, and COVID-19 relief, by donating now, and don’t forget to tune in later for the Precious’s 12-hour armchair read.
