Last Underbelly show raised £30,000 for the cause

John Bishop is to headline the fourth Big Brain Tumour Benefit at the Edinburgh Fringe, it has been announced.

The gig takes place in the largest venue at the Fringe, McEwan Hall, with  100 per cent of box office income going to The Brain Tumour Charity.

So far, Underbelly has raised nearly £100,000 from these benefits, including £30,000 at the last one in 2019.

Also on the bill for this year’s event – on August 16 – are  Jessica Fostekew, Rhys Nicholson, Michael Akadiri, Phil Wang and Maisie Adam plus MC Jason Byrne. More guests are expected to be announced over the coming week.

The show was created in 2017 after Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam, was diagnosed with   an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called ependymoma.

Ed said: ‘I am so delighted that we are able to present the fourth of our Brain Tumour Benefit shows at Underbelly this year.

‘The support from comedians and audiences for these shows has been incredible and we’ve raised over £100,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity since our first show in 2017.

‘My son Alfie died aged seven from brain cancer three days after the 2019 Fringe so this year’s shows will be particularly important and pertinent. We are committed to raising £1.4million in three years for specific paediatric brain tumour research and new treatments through a range of fundraising events.

‘This annual Fringe show is a crucial part of that so do please buy a ticket to watch a truly amazing line up of comedians and raise money for this vital cause. It’s a win win!"

Gina Almond, director of fundraising and marketing at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: ‘We are so proud of our continued partnership and loyal support from Underbelly and it is just brilliant that the Big Brain Tumour Benefit is happening again this year; such a welcome return after the pandemic. Our brilliant partnerships are key to raising vital funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of a brain tumour.’

 Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed each year. The Brain Tumour Charity’s Better Safe Than Tumour campaign aims to raise awareness of the common signs and symptoms

Book tickets for Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit here.

Published: 10 Aug 2022