Sunday for Sammy star and co-founder Tim Healy, is over whelmed by the support he is getting from celebrities clamouring to take part in this years show.
The fourth in a series of bi-annual sell out concerts, Sunday for Sammy 2010 is attracting major stars whose roots are in the North East and looks set to be bigger and better than ever.
Returning to its original venue at Newcastle’s City Hall, the all star line up will be putting on a traditional Sunday for Sammy show featuring music, stand-up comedy and sketches. Stars attending include Kevin Whatley, Denise Welch, Brendan Healy, Ray Jackson, Billy Mitchell and many more.
Tim Healy said: “The Sammy Johnson Fund is a cause very close to my heart and I’m thrilled that the 2010 Sunday for Sammy show looks like being the best one yet.”
The two shows at 2:00pm and 7:00pm on February 10th 2008 celebrate northern wit and everything Geordie in a fast paced mix of music and comedy. As with the 2004 and 2006 shows, the event is being filmed to be released on DVD later this year.
Local bands the Mosaics and the Cochrane Brothers will have the chance to perform alongside the region’s biggest idols as two of the fund’s successful recipients.
Ray Laidlaw, drummer for Lindisfarne and producer of the show said: “We hold auditions twice a year to distribute grants to young performers and although the standard is always high, last year both the Mosaics and the Cochrane Brothers shone through with their confidence, ability and musicality. We’re delighted that both bands have accepted our invitation to appear.
“Sunday for Sammy 2008 has become a celebration of northern talent and an unmissable part of the event calendar. It regularly sells out 4,000 seats with very little publicity and without the audience knowing exactly which performers will be taking part. The people come because they know it is going to be a great night.
“All of the celebrities take time out of their busy schedules to take part and the 2008 show has the biggest turn out of North East talent we have ever had.”
The performance raises money for the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund set up by Auf Weidersehen Pet co-stars, Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail, in memory of their close friend Sammy Johnson, best known for his portrayal as ‘Stick’ in the Spender TV series. Sammy died suddenly in 1998.
The fund, which benefits creative talent on Tyneside where Sammy was born and raised, has already reached £200,000 and donated over £80,000 in grants.
Grants are awarded twice a year and since the fund was established there have been 112 recipients. All proceeds from the show will go to the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund to provide funding for talented individuals like Sammy to develop their performing skills.
The Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The Foundation provides a service to families, individuals and companies in the region who want to make a lasting difference to the communities in which they live and work. It manages charitable funds on their behalf for specific areas and interest, some of which have been established through legacies or in memory of a loved one.
A few tickets are remaining and can bought by contacting the City Hall ticket office on: 0191 261 2606.
To find out more about the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, how to make a donation or how to apply for a grant contact the Community Foundation on: 0191 222 0945.
