Comedy and celebrity underwear at homeless fundraiser
The Albert Kennedy Trust, which helps vulnerable homeless LGBT people in finding support and shelter, is holding a fundraiser to raise money and drive awareness for the charity.
“The Winter Comedy Benefit” will be held on Thursday 1st November at 3 Rooms, a Playstation-sponsored brandspace in Shoreditch’s Truman Brewery.
There is a minimum donation of £40 to attend the event.
The benefit will host a range of comedy, including the 12-strong Doug’s Sketchy Show, consisting of a line-up of 12 London fringe comedians.
There will also be music hall comedy with Underbling and Vow, and a celebrity underwear auction hosted by Mr Gay UK.
Food and refreshments include fine wines and food from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant.
Tim Sigsworth, chief executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust, told PinkNews.co.uk:
“The purpose of the evening is to further raise the profile of the trust and its work by bringing the rising tide of LGBT homelessness to a wider audience, who will hopefully become supporters of our work.”
Actor Sir Ian McKellen is a patron of the charity: “All LGBT young people have the right to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes,” he said.
“The relevance of AKT, and the positive service it provides, is as great now as it ever has been.
“I urge those of you who are able, to join me in supporting the Trust in every way you can, particularly at this time of great need.”
Last year the Albert Kennedy Trust won Community Group of the Year at the Stonewall Awards.
In 1989, 16 year old Albert Kennedy fell to his death from the top of a car park in Manchester whilst trying to escape a carload of queerbashers.
Albert was a runaway from a children’s home in Salford. His short tragic life had been filled with rejection and abuse.
Manchester’s gay community was moved into action by the Trust’s founder patron Cath Hall, a heterosexual foster carer who admitted she could not meet the full range of needs of gay and lesbian kids coming through her care.
As a result AKT was formed, and in 1990 it became a Trust.
