Comedy / NHS
Preview: Funny Bones, Hippodrome
Bristol comedy fans get an evening in the company of some of the UK’s best comics this month – while raising money for the city’s hard-pressed hospitals into the bargain.
On June 16, the Hippodrome hosts – for the second time, after a hugely successful debut last September – a stand-up fundraiser for Above & Beyond, the official charity for all nine of the UH Bristol hospitals. The tidy-looking lineup features The Mash Report presenter Nish Kumar, fast-rising TV and radio comic Kiri Pritchard-McLean and fellow rising stars Laura Lexx and Jake Lambert – with Bristol’s Mr Comedy, Mark Olver, on MC duties.
Above & Beyond raises the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use Bristol’s hospitals – including the patients, their family and friends who visit them, and the staff who treat them.
The Mash Report Nish Kumar puts in an appearance at the second Funny Bones
“We fundraise to make the hospitals a more comfortable or welcoming environment for poorly patients – for example by funding artwork, wall murals or refurbishments,” explains Edd Smith, the charity’s corporate partnerships and community fundraising manager. “We also fund the latest equipment and technology, innovative research and staff training and development. This all makes a real difference to patient care and hospital experience.”
Last year Above & Beyond completed its Bristol Heart Institute Appeal, raising £830,000 for the heart hospital. The money raised will fund the latest equipment, including a new echo scanner for the theatres plus iPads with a specially created physiotherapy app.
is needed now More than ever
Funny Bones organsier Above and Beyond completed its £830,000 Bristol Heart Institute Appeal in 2018
This is the second Funny Bones, after a successful debut last year featuring Russell Howard and Jon Richardson – plus Laura Lexx, who grew up in Bristol and returns this year. “I love this gig so much,” Mark Olver enthuses. “The Hippodrome is an incredible place to perform. It’s for a brilliant charity that helps the brilliant NHS. And… I get to gig with some of my favourite comics and friends. It was my favourite gig of last year and I’m so looking forward for this one.”
Last word to Edd. “All the sets are completely freeform so we’re not sure what to expect on the night. I’m sure the NHS will crop up at numerous points throughout the night – last year someone even wrote a song about it…”
Funny Bones is at Bristol Hippodrome on June 16. For more info, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/funny-bones-nish-kumar-and-friends/bristol-hippodrome
Read more: Introducing… Southmead Hospital Charity
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