TV star Jon Richardson and his wife Lucy Beaumont have helped raise more than £12k for families in need after taking part in an evening of comedy at a Chesterfield school.
The Eight Out of 10 Cats comedian – and friends – entertained 500 members of the public at a special event held at Netherthorpe School, which is part of the Cavendish Learning Trust.
Money raised from the comedy night will go to a community fund being set up by the Trust, which oversees Netherthorpe School, Whittington Moor Nursery & Infant Academy, Dunston Primary & Nursery Academy and Barrow Hill Primary Academy.
Rachel Swann is a governor for the Cavendish Learning Trust’s Academy Improvement Board. She said: “It was an absolutely incredible evening and Jon and his wife and comedy partner, Lucy Beaumont were fantastic. Lucy spoke about applying to be a teaching assistant and how being a parent has changed her, while Jon made everyone laugh talking about his insecurities performing in a school gym.
Jon Richardson with wife Lucy Beaumont and Netherthorpe governor Michelle Madders.
“They did the gig free of charge and brought along with them four other comedians – Alan Hudson who had the audience in stitches with his comic magic routine, Pete Selwood, Simon Lomas and Harriet Dyer with her tales of cycling on the M62!
“Out initial target was £10,000 but the final total was way over £12,000. This will go towards helping families who are struggling this winter within the Cavendish Learning Trust.
“We want our community fund to help with those little things that, because of the rising cost of living, families may be going without.
“We already support our families with food parcels, but the community fund will be for shopping vouchers or maybe even to cover the cost of a haircut. Having your hair cut can really improve wellbeing and, quite often, when money is tight it is one of those things that you sacrifice.”
The event came about after Michelle Madders, a governor on the Primary Academy Improvement Board, replied to a message on social media platform Twitter from Lucy Beaumont, asking for worthy causes that her and husband Jon could support.
Cavendish Learning Trust CEO Dave Williams said he was ‘proud’ of how the community came together, with the Old School Taphouse in Clowne providing refreshments and also making a generous contribution to the evening and Netherthorpe School staff and Sixth Form members on hand to make sure that the event ran smoothly.
He said: “The Cavendish Learning Trust is a family of schools who are focused on meeting the needs of our community by providing innovative and engaging education, to maximise all children and young adults’ life choices.
“Jon and Lucy brought innovative and engaging humour to Netherthorpe and their generous contribution will go a long way in helping local families.”
Helen McVicar, headteacher of Netherthorpe School, added: “I’m so proud of the commitment, hard work and dedication of our wonderful school community who have pulled together to make this happen.
“What better way to help others than with a good dose of humour.”
