Homeless Helpline: Comedians to perform at West-End night to raise money for appeal

Homeless appeal: Eight out of 10 Cats star Joe Lycett will be leading the charity line-up
Rex Features
Matt Watts9 January 2017

Comedians are helping to raise money for our charity appeal with a night of stand-up in the West End.

Eight out of 10 Cats star Joe Lycett will be leading the line-up at youth homelessness charity Centrepoint’s annual Laughing Point comedy night at the Lyric Theatre on January 23.

Comic and radio host Elis James, Dane Baptiste — who has his own BBC3 sitcom Sunny D — Suzi Ruffell and Tom Allen also make up the bill.

Proceeds from this year’s show, to be hosted by a mystery special guest, will go to the Young and Homeless Helpline appeal.

Tom Allen: The comedy star is joining the line-up 
PUBLICITY PICTURE

The Standard is raising money to help Centrepoint launch the first nat-onal advice and support helpline for 16 to 25-year-olds facing homelessness or already sleeping rough.

Online, text and Freephone services will fill a void in support for the growing number of young people at risk of homelessness and connect them to services they need.

Centrepoint aims to launch it next month. The appeal broke the £2 million mark before Christmas.

The show at the 967-capacity Lyric aims to raise more vital funds.

Dane Baptiste: The show will raise vital funds for the helpline

Lycett, who has appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Live At The Apollo, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Centrepoint. I’ve done a number of Laughing Point gigs.

"Youth homelessness is a scourge and getting worse. It’s so easy just to be born in an unfortunate situation or get yourself caught up in one, and it’s scary how close people can get to homelessness.

“In your mind you think of it as a thing that only happens to a certain kind of person — through Centrepoint you see it could happen to anyone.

Suzi Ruffell: The comedy gig is supporting our charity appeal

"It’s important we stop it when people are young so it doesn’t become a way of life.”

Richard Utting, head of events at Centrepoint, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many comedians taking to the stage for us.

"It’s going to be a great evening of entertainment. We expect tickets to go fast, so grab your friends, family and colleagues and join us.”

Tickets cost £8.50 to £31. The show starts at 7.30pm. Call 0330 333 4812 or visit nimaxtheatres.com/lyric-theatre/centrepoint_laughing_point

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