Stellar line-up revealed for annual Edinburgh comedy fund-raiser in aid of Waverley Care

Comedy stars from across the UK are again set to assemble to raise funds for Waverley Care. They will come together for a virtual gig to support people in Scotland living with HIV and hepatitis C.

The Off the Kerb Comedy Gala has grown since its debut in 2003 to become the biggest comedy event on the Fringe and despite the cancellation of this year’s festival, a stellar line-up of comedians has been put together.

So far the following acts are confirmed Tom Allen, Josh Widdicombe, Janey Godley, Rich Hall, Marlon Davis, Mark Steel and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd. Also on the bill are Angela Barnes, Marcus Brigstocke, Phil Jerrod, Charlie Baker, Joanne McNally, Andrew Ryan, Tom Lucy, George Lewis, Larry Dean, Mo Omar and Kiri Pritchard-McLean.

The cancellation of this year’s Fringe is set to cost the charity an estimated £100,000 in lost donations, so the Comedy Gala’s new virtual format has come as a welcome boost. Matt Middler, Fundraising Manager at Waverley Care, says, "Throughout the pandemic, our key workers have been supporting some of the most vulnerable people across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing phone, online and in-person support to people affected by HIV, hepatitis C and poor sexual health and wellbeing. In particular, staff at our Milestone residential support centre are working with NHS and other charities to provide residential support for homeless Covid patients coming out of hospital.

“Unfortunately, at a time when demand for our services is increasing, our ability to raise money has been hard hit. In particular, the loss of the Fringe, and the money we usually raise in bucket shakes and benefit shows, has been a huge blow.

“We’re therefore so grateful to the team at Off the Kerb who have worked so hard to get the Comedy Gala online, and to all the acts for taking part. It’s set to be a great night and I hope that people will tune in to support Waverley Care.”

The fundraiser will be streamed live on 27 August from 8pm, with three-tiered donations to help raise as much money as possible: £5 could buy 1,000 fliers to help fight HIV and sexual health stigma, £10 could fund a rapid HIV test for someone who might have been at risk of contracting HIV and £20 could pay for an online support session to someone dealing with mental health problems during the pandemic.

Tickets are available online now from www.waverleycare.org/comedygala

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