Phill Jupitus, Marcus Brigstocke, Angela Barnes and Francesca Martinez performed to a packed audience on 9th June at The Glee Club, Birmingham. Charity patron, Graeme Garden OBE, best known for the 70s comedy show The Goodies, was behind the event and had personally invited the household names to take part.

Graeme said: “We were thrilled to have such a stellar line-up generously giving their time to raise lots of laughs, and funds, for a great cause. Marcus will did a magnificent job of steering the ship as compere, and my fellow patron, Francesca, inspired the crowd with her humorous take on growing up with a disability. Phill treated us to one of his rare poetry sets and Angela closed the show superbly.”

Francesca was officially announced as an Enrych patron to an audience of 170 comedy lovers, who during the course of the night dug deep to raise £450 through raffle ticket sales.

Operating across the region, Enrych supports 1,500 disabled people each year to enjoy active and independent lives. The comedy show was the highlight of the charity’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the funds raised will go towards Enrych’s volunteer partnership service which helps overcome the social isolation that many people experience as a result of their disability.

Gina King, Chief Executive of Enrych, said: “Simple pleasures in life and every day activities or pastimes such as the cinema, going to the football, day trips or baking a cake can be a real struggle for some of our members. By matching them with a volunteer partner who shares the same interests, we can make the world of difference to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of disabled people.”

Alongside the volunteer partnerships, Enrych is planning to expand its personal assistant service, Enrych Assist, for individuals who want to live more independently with regular support for day-to-day tasks such as household jobs, going to appointments or attending a college course.

“At a time when disabled people, and their carers, are struggling to cope with cuts to benefits and other provision, there is a huge demand for our services,” added Gina. “The comedy night was a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate our 30th year, reach a new audience of potential volunteers and enrich more lives.”