Proceeds will help young people get into sport

Organisers of the 2022 Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival have chosen The McCarney Foundation as their designated charity this year.

Some proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the fund, set up in May 2021 by Pru McCarney following the death of her husband Eugene the previous year.

The charity is aimed at young people whose financial or personal circumstances prevent them from playing either cricket or rugby and provides equipment, coaching, assistance with transport to fixtures and guidance on sports psychology.

So far it has raised £25,000 through charitable sports days such as the a competition at his former cricket club Shrewsbury-based Shelton CC.

Comedy festival director Kevin Bland said: ‘This year’s charity is one particularly close to our hearts as festival co-partner Nev [Street] and I both played cricket with Eugene. He was a great competitor on the pitch, as well a generous, funny bloke off it and someone who is missed very much by his cricketing family.

‘It is an absolute pleasure to support Pru and the superb work she and the foundation are carrying out.’

The Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival takes place from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 July ,  culminating in a gala show at Theatre Severn  which includes h Flo & Joan, Steve Royle, Gary Delaney, Seann Walsh and Paul Sinha.

Picture shows Kevin Bland, left, charity ambassador Taylor Youens and Pru McCarney.

Published: 27 Jun 2022