A virtual night of comedy, organised by a Kenilworth comedian, raised much-needed laughs as well as £1,500 for charity.

The gig marked the return of charity stand-up events organised by Comedy at Work creatives Anne Docherty from Kenilworth and Mark Hinds from Warwick.

Proceeds from the virtual gig, supported by Lodders Charitable Foundation, will support Birmingham-based charity Networkfour which, for the last 13 years, has worked to shine a light on the issues of poverty, hardship and lives negatively impacted by criminality.

Networkfour Founder and Project Director Gary Wicker, said: "'It was a fantastic evening and we are so grateful for the support from Lodders Charitable Foundation and Comedy at Work to make it possible, and to everyone who bought tickets.

"We work with over 500 vulnerable children, at risk young people, hard to reach adults and crisis families each year, many of whom face horrendous situations and circumstances. They money raised will go a long way to enabling us to change the lives to the most vulnerable in Birmingham.

Helping to lay on the virtual laughs, on April Fool's Day were four comedians who are rising stars on the UK comedy circuit.

Award-winning Laura Lexx, from Taunton, is best known for her TV comedy appearances including Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. She also hit the headlines last year when she landed a book deal following a series of tweets imagining life with Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp which went viral.

Yorkshireman Scott Bennet has won acclaim with comedy awards and has appeared on BBC Radio 4 as well as alongside the likes of Rob Brydon, Michael McIntyre and Helen Lederer.

New comedian of the Year at Leicester Square Theatre and Bath Comedy Festival in 2019, David Eagle is also an accomplished musician. The blind funnyman from Stockton instantly wins audiences over with his quip about having 'dark humour.'

Overseeing it all was Samantha Day, from Watford. The former accountant-turned stand-up comedian, reached the semi-finals of Jason Manford's Best New Act 2020 just before lockdown as well as making it through to the semi-finals of the Best New Act at Bath Comedy Festival in 2019.

Law firm Lodders created the Lodders Charitable Foundation (LCF) in 2016 with the aim of raising vital financial support and providing help to local charities where it can make a genuine difference. Networkfour is one of four independent charities chosen as sole beneficiaries of LCF in 2021 and 2022.

Chairman of Lodders Charitable Foundation, David Lodder said: "We are living through pretty difficult times, but the Virtual Comedy Night was an excellent event that brought plenty of fun, laughter and some light relief into people's homes.

"The Foundation knows Networkfour will make excellent use of the proceeds to support its incredible work with young people, adults and families in crisis who are sadly facing issues of poverty, hardship and lives negatively impacted by criminality. The charity's dedicated team and volunteers carry out amazing and vital work and always strive to help transform the circumstances some people sadly find themselves in."

For more information aboutTheLoddersCharitable Foundation visit:www.lodders.co.uk/about-us/lodders-charitable-foundation

Anne Docherty, co-founder of Comedy at Work, said: "We had an awesome night of comedy - thanks to everyone that bought tickets and came along and to the comedians who had us all laughing throughout. We raised £1,500 for Networkfour and because this event was supported by the Lodders Charitable Foundation every penny raised goes to the charity. It was a privilege to be involved."

As well as bringing stand-up to venues across the country in support of local charities, Comedy at Work hosts a series of workshops for all ages, all with comedy and wellbeing at their heart – from school-leavers and graduates through to team building, corporate training and even wedding speech coaching.

During lockdown they successfully transitioned their workshops online but have already seen a huge demand for tickets for the first of their returning face to face comedy nights in village halls across the region, from next month.

Visit their website for further information.

More information about Networkfour can be found here.