Hospice fundraising show still a laughing matter (From Oxford Mail)

Hospice fundraising show still a laughing matter

FUNDRAISING gigs can be disjointed affairs.

James Corden and Miranda Hart

Many have the best of intentions, but fall down on inconsistent line-ups and the odd turkey.

Helen & Douglas House's annual spectacular Childish Things – now in its seventh year – doesn’t suffer from that problem.

It has become a firm fixture in Oxford's social calendar – a two-night festival of comedy and music with a line-up to impress an Edinburgh Fringe crowd.

No surprise James Corden (Smithy from BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey) got the biggest cheer of the night.

Jimmy Carr

His Dirty Dancing skit with comedienne Miranda Hart was a crowd-pleaser.

Headliner Jimmy Carr trotted out a string of one-liners and, for once, managed to remain on the respectable side... largely.

Meanwhile, Radiohead drummer Phil Selway turned frontman for the evening and played tracks from his album Familial.

The audience’s reaction to human beat-box Beardyman swung gloriously from startled to rapturous. Undoubtedly, the surprise of the evening.

The work Helen & Douglas House does is staggering.

Phil Selway, from Radiohead

And, as a fundraiser, Childish Things goes some way to helping pay the £4m it costs to run the East Oxford hospice each year.

But it is also a reflection of the pride Oxford feels for the facility.

Both nights of the event sold out four months ago... with little or no knowledge of the line-up. A feat of Glastonbury-esque proportions.

In these fallow times, it is good to know people are willing to put their hands in their pockets when the cause is so worthwhile.

Not to mention it is a very, very good night out. Next year’s event goes on sale in March. The smart money is on an even quicker sell-out.

• To find out more about the charity, click on the link below.