STAND-UP comic Damian Kingsley is travelling penniless from Lands End to Edinburgh on a 120-gig comedy tour to raise money for homeless charity Shelter and will be appearing at The Beambridge Inn, near Wellington, along the way.

His tour has already started and he finishes at the Edinburgh Festival in August. Damian will not be able to use any money or public transport, so he is hoping to be given shelter, food and maybe a few lifts on the road. He will tell jokes to anyone anywhere, from the Nags Head to Granny’s front room, in return for the basic necessities so many people have to do without every day. 

Damian has support from 45 venues already but with over half his slots to be confirmed, he is likely to end up performing on the street and mowing lawns in exchange for the use of a washing machine or somewhere to lay his sleeping bag. 

Damian said: “It’s so important we raise money and awareness for Shelter and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to do this. I am as worried as I am excited about the Knock Knock tour but my experience will obviously be no more than a small insight into what homeless people go through every day of their lives.”

He added: “Out of 120 gigs, lots of which don’t normally host comedy, I’m sure there will be some tough nights.”

Damian will hold at least one gig every day, with travel between gigs of up 12 miles. Nine out of ten of the venues will be in country villages. He will have a short break from July 21 to August 4 while he performs the Knock Knock show as part of the free fringe in Edinburgh, with all donations from that also going to Shelter.

Damian is at the Beambridge Inn on Tuesday, April 19, (8pm entry free).