Top North West comedians are coming together for two special gigs to give children and young people with complex communication needs a voice. These events, which are being headlined by some of the region’s hottest rising talent, are raising funds and awareness after a local charity was targeted by callous thieves leaving children without the means of communication.
Sunday 25th November 2018, 4pm to 7pm: Hot Water Comedy Club, Liverpool – tickets only £5 each,
Wednesday 12th December 2018, 9pm to 11pm: Frog & Bucket Comedy Club, Manchester – tickets just £10 each
The Ace Centre, a national charity based in Oldham which provides specialist equipment, training and support to children and adults, was recently burgled with more than £150,000 worth of AAC devices stolen. It included the theft of state-of-the-art equipment including eye-gaze technology. The equipment was integral to the assessment work provided by the specialists at the charity meaning families have faced delays in support and finding their voice.
Now some of the region’s top stand-up comics are now putting on two shows to raise awareness of the vital work the Ace Centre does and to raise funds to help children in the North West communicate with the world around them.
The events are the brainchild of stand-up comedian Sam Gore, who also works with children with special education needs, including 10-year-old Sam who’s benefitted from Ace Centre’s expertise. Having seen the impact of Ace Centre’s work first hand, Sam’s called in favours from the comedy industry to arrange two high profile charity gigs (Liverpool and Manchester) to support the charity’s vital work.
“At the heart of all of this are the many children like Sam that the Ace Centre supports, locally and all over the country. The comedy circuit believes that every child should have a voice, which is why we’re choosing to Stand Up and Speak Out to help them regain and develop theirs.” Sam said.
Ace Centre Chief Executive Officer, Anna Reeves said: “We are honoured by Sam’s response to our situation and the support these two events will bring to our charity. Our services enable people to communicate and live their everyday lives – it empowers them to enjoy life, to communicate more freely and express themselves. It also enables them to be funny and share in humour which is why these gigs are so fitting.”
In Liverpool, Hot Water Comedy Club are backing him by opening their doors on Sunday 25th November and hosting a top line-up of some of the city’s hottest comedy talent.
Paul Smith is a home-grown Liverpool legend and the city’s hottest rising comedy star. As a result of his work with Hot Water he’s become a viral sensation and sold out a national tour, culminating in a hometown gig at the Echo Arena. He will be headlining the Stand Up and Speak Out for the Ace Centre gig alongside a full line-up of great comedians.
In Manchester, The Frog & Bucket Comedy Club are backing him by opening their doors on Wednesday 12th December to host a top line-up of some of the city’s hottest comedy talent. The line-up includes Manchester comedy legends like Justin Moorhouse (Phoenix Nights, Looking for Eric) & Mick Ferry (Michael Macintyre’s Comedy Roadshow) and international headliners like Matt Stellingwerf (winner of four New Zealand Comedy Guild awards.)
The night will be hosted by Bethany Black, another Manchester comedian and star of Russell T Davies’ Banana and Cucumber on Channel 4.
Organiser Sam Gore added that “Comedy is all about communication and disability ought to be no barrier to making yourself heard and understood.”
Earlier this year, Lost Voice Guy (Lee Ridley) had the country laughing when he won Britain’s Got Talent. He’s also supporting the events and the work of the Ace Centre.
Liverpool: https://www.hotwatercomedy.co.uk/event/1942/#event
Tickets cost just £5, with all ticket fees and donations on the night going directly to the Ace Centre.
Manchester: Tickets cost just £10, with all ticket fees and donations on the night going directly to the Ace Centre to help them continue to support children in the North West with special educational needs. https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/shows/873596289
For more information about the comedy gigs and to organise interviews please contact Sam Gore (promoter & organiser): 07858161855 samgorecomedy@googlemail.com or Ace Centre Media & PR contact Katy Stead @ FIG on 01457 857111.
