Comedy Festival funds over 6,000 meals

A Comedy Festival raised more than £11,000 for Hackney Foodbank this winter.

Among the comedians to perform a series of Christmas gigs at Angel Comedy, hosted by Barry Ferns, were Nish Kumar, Bridget Christie, Rosie Jones, Sindhu Vee, James Acaster and Ed Gamble.

Comedian Rosie Jones was among those to support Hackney Foodbank at the Comedy Festival

The festival at Islington’s Bill Murray Club, in the week before Christmas, started with a food drive which collected 423kg of food and included visits from top comedians and a performance of Christmas carols by London City Voices.

Comedy gigs on subsequent nights raised £11,059. Other comedians performing were Helen Bauer, Celya Ab, Janine Harouni, Phil Ellis, Catherine Bohart and Red Richardson.

Jenna Fansa, Head of Fundraising for Hackney Foodbank, said: “This event is always so good for the soul, and this year was especially wonderful. The team at Angel Comedy put so much work and care into this event and all the comedians gave their time for free.

“Not only did they bring complete joy to the audience, but the money and food donated has provided the equivalent of around 6,500 meals for people experiencing hardship. Our huge and very heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made this event happen, to the volunteers who supported and to the audience members who gave so generously!”