Comics gearing up for Newcastle Teenage Cancer Trust benefit

Gavin Webster and Steffen Peddie are amongst those appearing at the Newcastle Stand tonight in support of The Teenage Cancer Trust.

Lauren Pattison, a former Giggle Beats New Act of the Month who is set to appear in the regional heats of the BBC New Comedy Awards, will also appear alongside Andrew Arrowsmith, Ben Crompton and Stephen Frizzle.

The show aims to raise funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust, which builds specialist units in NHS hospitals to improve the quality of life and chances of survival of young people who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The charity receives no statutory funding and relies solely on donations to pay for the facilities in the unit and pay the salaries of dedicated specialist nurses.

Pattison said: “Being young and thankfully in good health I’m glad to be able to help raise funds and awareness of illnesses that particularly affect my age group.”

The Trust has a unit at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital, with a unit opening at the Freeman Hospital in January 2012.

Tonight’s benefit show is hosted by Steffen Peddie, who is currently filming the second series of Hebburn.

Talking to Giggle Beats about the Trust, Peddie said: “it’s one of the charities that I always support; they do not always get the recognition they deserve.

“And, it’s a cracking line up!”

The Trust is supported in the region across the arts, including the Roger Daltrey-endorsed band The Whodlums.

Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit is at the Newcastle Stand on 27 August 2013, 8:30pm. Tickets are £5, available online or on the door.