Your Oxford
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email »
Fun raises hospice funds
6:02am Sunday 11th May 2008
A FUNDRAISING comedy show at the New Theatre, Oxford, has netted more than £45,000 for the city charity providing respite care for sick children and young people.
It was the fourth time Childish Things has been held in the city in aid of Helen and Douglas House hospice, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford.
The event, held on April 20, featured the comedic talents of Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr.
And after a few weeks tallying up the takings, the grand total has been put at £45,066.
Kate Day, events co-ordinator at Helen and Douglas House, said: "The New Theatre staff have been utterly amazing with their support of this event.
"Not only do they allow us to use the theatre free of charge, but most of their staff donate their time for free.
"Without their help and enthusiasm Childish Things would not be half the event it is."
To help boost the final total, all profits from retail sales made during the evening were also donated to the charity.
The event is one of the hospice's largest annual fundraising events, and in the past has attracted stars such as Stephen Fry, Bill Nighy, Rob Brydon and members of Oxford band Radiohead. Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson, who lives in Waterperry, made a surprise appearance at last month's show.
Wheelchair bound singer-songwriter Ally Craig, once a guest at Douglas House, has also shared the stage with some of the comedy world's biggest names.
The event has become a favourite with some of the comedians themselves.
Jimmy Carr took part for the second time this year, having asked organisers specifically if he could be involved again.
Miss Day said: "It is an indication of how popular Childish Things has become when 1,000 tickets for this year's show were sold out even before the line-up was announced.
"The evening was a complete sell-out more than a month ahead."
Tickets have already gone on sale for Childish Things 5, which will take place on May 14, 2009.
Tickets cost between £20 and £27.50 and are available now from Ticketmaster on 0844 8471585 or from the New Theatre box office.
Your sayYourOxford
Add your comment
Register for a FREE The Oxford Times account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
Sponsored Links
Editor's choice
Life is too short for boring wine
Just the other week I drove to Stroud to help a fellow wine-writer taste her way though dozens of the UK’s top-selling wine brands.
Nando's, George Street, Oxford
Before last week, my one experience of Nando’s had been a rather nasty meal at its Cowley Road operation shortly after it opened six or seven years ago in what had previously been the Prince of Wales pub. The sweet taste of the glutinous coleslaw remains with me to this day. As can be imagined, then, I didn’t exactly rush to sample the second Oxford branch when it opened at the beginning of the year at the west end of George Street, where the Opium Den used to be.
Preview: Sleeping Beauty, Oxford Playhouse
Please mind the dragon, I was urged. I was grateful for the warning, even though the slinky green creature, which comes complete with a crimson mouth and the brightest of white teeth, was a bit difficult to miss. By chance, the dragon is resting on a piece of floor that is familiar with bright colours — a printing press sat there until recently, turning out brochures and book covers in all the colours of the rainbow.
Professor Bumm's Story Machine: Wytham Village Hall
This is a great show for children of all ages, even those drawing their pension! In the Village Hall at Wytham The Story Machine had the audience in stitches. Professor Ivor Bumm and his assistant Dr Willy Whee were there to present their new invention – a machine that could tell any story, with special brilliant effects and a cast of hundreds of androids.
Jim key to U's boss search
JIM Smith will be instrumental in the appointment of Oxford United's new manager.
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
