The second of Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefits, will take place at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the McEwan Hall on 13 August 2018.
- Tickets on sale now at underbellyedinburgh.co.uk
The line up will be hosted by the Strictly Come Dancing favourite Susan Calman in her only Fringe appearance this year. Acts will include Nish Kumar. Joel Dommett, Zoe Lyons and David O’Doherty. More acts will be announced soon.
The first Benefit took place last year following the news that Underbelly director, Ed Bartlam’s five year-old son, Alfie, had an aggressive form of brain cancer. He continues to receive treatment. Now Underbelly have raised nearly £30,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity, two thirds of which came from the Benefit last year.
Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit
Monday, 13 August at 7pm (70 mins)/ Underbelly at Bristo Square, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Join a massive line-up of Fringe stars in a raucous evening of comedy to help the fight against brain cancer. This year’s line-up include Susan Calman, Nish Kumar, Joel Dommett, David O’Doherty, Zoe Lyons. The evening will be hosted by Susan Calman, more acts still to be announced! Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer for children and adults under 40 and increased funding for research is desperately needed. All box office income goes directly to The Brain Tumour Charity. Last year Underbelly raised £18,000 from the show. Check the website for full line-up.
Tickets £20.80 (incl. booking fee) available here
Ed Bartlam said: “I sadly know first hand how devastating a brain tumour diagnosis can be. The Brain Tumour Charity is doing an amazing job at both increasing awareness and raising money to fund much needed research into these forms of disease. Underbelly will continue to do everything in its power to raise as much money for the charity and the research as possible. This is the second year of our Fringe benefit show and by moving it to the majestic McEwan Hall, with more seats to sell than last year, we have the opportunity to raise even more money. So I urge you to use your brain and buy a ticket to an amazing bill of live comedy, in support a truly worthwhile cause.”
Susan Calman said: “It takes a lot to get me out of my self-imposed (brief) retirement from stand-up comedy but when Underbelly asked me to host this show I had to say yes. They gave me one of my first breaks in the world of comedy by allowing me to perform several shows with them and have continued to support me throughout my career. It’ll be an honour to MC this incredible show with so many fabulous acts for a brilliant cause. It’s a must see show of the Fringe.”
Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Director of Fundraising, said: “Our partnerships are key to our strategy of raising vital funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of a brain tumour. The continued support of Underbelly and The Big Brain Benefit was a huge success in 2017 and we’re set to take this collaboration to a new level this year. We know that their invaluable help will make a real difference for everyone affected.
“Every year, 11,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour – that’s 30 a day – and our five-year research strategy A Cure Can’t Wait aims to double survival within 10 years and halve the harm caused by brain tumours on quality of life.
“We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations and gifts in Wills, so it’s only through the support of Ed, Charlie and the team at Underbelly, that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.
“We are committed to fighting for all those people whose lives are turned upside down by this devastating disease. Thank you to Underbelly for their continued support”.
- Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40
- Over 11,000 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour, including 500 children and young people – that’s 30 people every day
- Over 5,000 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year
- Brain tumours reduce life expectancy by on average 20 years – the highest of any cancer.
- Just 19% of adults survive for five years after diagnosis
- Brain tumours are the largest cause of preventable or treatable blindness in children. Childhood brain tumour survivors are 10 times more likely to suffer long term disability than well children. This accounts for 20,000 additional disabled life years for all the children who are diagnosed each year
- Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £500m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 2% is spent on brain tumours
The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours, making a difference every day to the lives of people with a brain tumour and their families. It funds pioneering research to increase survival, raises awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours and provides support for everyone affected.
The Charity’s goals are to double survival within 10 years in the UK and to halve the negative impact that brain tumours have on quality of life.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
