'Peter Kay' scam prompts fundraisers

Manchester stand-ups have organised a week of fundraising gigs to help a charity hit by a conman posing as Peter Kay’s brother.

Peter Stead has conned thousands of pounds out of pubs by claiming to be a stand-up and asking for an upfront donation to the Lewis Mighty Fund – set up to help a five-year-old cancer sufferer – in exchange for organising comedy nights. But he then disappears without trace, and is now wanted by police.

Comic Marty McLean says he felt compelled to organise the run of benefit gigs next month after reading about the fraudster on Chortle.

He said: ‘This man has used what many comics love and do for a living and he has stolen from a child and a charity. I felt I had to do something to help Lewis and restore any loss of integrity this man may have caused the comedy profession.’

Fundraiser Sarah Fullaway thanked the comedians for their efforts. She said: ‘We are delighted that something positive can come from the Peter Kay scam we fell victim to.

‘The support that the comedy community have shown to our cause is absolutely fantastic. We are so grateful for their help to not only raise much-needed funds but also the awareness of Lewis's plight. We hope the events are a real success.’

Stead, 48, has a record for posing as Peter Kay’s brother Danny, and in 2003 the father-of-three pleaded guilty to swindling three people out of a total of £220, promising them VIP tickets to see his famous ‘sibling’.

In the latest incidents, featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch last month, he claimed to be raising money for the Lewis Mighty Fund, which aims to raise £300,000 to send Lewis to America for cutting-edge treatment for his neuroblastoma. He currently has a one-in-five chance of surviving beyond the end of this year.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said: ‘This man conned money out of trusting, generous people who were keen to raise funds for a very worthy cause.’

Comics taking part in the fundraising events include Simon Bligh, Dan Nightingale, Martin Bigpig More and Toby Hadoke.

The gigs are at the Rampant Lion on Sunday March 7; Mirth On Monday on March 8; XS Malarkey on March 9; the Frog and Bucket on March 11 and Baby Blue in Liverpool on March 13.

Published: 15 Feb 2010