COMIC SERIOUS ABOUT LINCOLN
G LASGOW funnyman Frankie Boyle is to play a one-off charity gig in Cardiff to help fund a young cerebral palsy sufferer’s life-changing operation.
The controversial comic, whose scathing material has won him as many fans as it has objectors, will appear at St David’s Hall on Saturday, September 9, in aid of the Lincoln’s Legs Appeal, with proceeds going towards funding Pontypool four-year-old Lincoln Hope’s trip to America for surgery.
Lincoln was born 10 weeks prematurely and his condition, which affects his ability to walk, will likely lead to deformities and the rest of his life consigned to a wheelchair – if not treated.
An operation in America would, along with post-op treatment, enable him to walk, run and live a pain-free life.
His family need to raise £100,000 in order to make it happen. Lincoln’s mum Jess is also attempting to hike the entire length of the Brecon Beacons this September to bolster the appeal’s coffers.
“Lincoln is such a happy young boy, with a gorgeous smile and infectious laugh,” she said.
“He tries his best to keep up with his younger brother and his school friends but he just can’t, and the constant pain he feels really does break my heart.
“We all just want to give him a better, brighter future, and we will do everything in our power to make it happen,” she said.
Boyle’s Cardiff gig will be the only time he’ll perform his latest material outside of this August’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe (and London’s Soho Theatre, where he’s about to trial it over two nights as “work in progress”).
Announcing the gig on Twitter, Boyle said: “My current live show won’t be touring. BUT...doing the whole show just once in a theatre at this benefit in Cardiff.” He added: “Apologies for the hard sells there, but it is a very good cause.c Have a powerful weekend people.”p
He’ll be supported at the Cardiff s show by comedienne Francesca Martinez, who also has cerebral palsy.
Jess is due to begin her Brecon Beacons challenge at 10am on Saturday, September 16, from the National Trust car park at the base of the Skirrid Fawr, Abergavenny.
People are invited to join her as s she sets off – superhero costumes a are optional but preferred.
“This challenge is bigger than anything I’ve ever tried before, and I’m in no way certain I can even do it,” Jess said.
“Every time I think about just how scared I am, though, I think about what happens if we don’t achieve our fundraising target for Lincoln, and that thought is by far a million times scarier.
“Lincoln has already had to go t through such hardship in his y young life, being born 10 weeks p prematurely, but we’re all determined to do whatever it takes to ensure he doesn’t have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
“Like any mum, if it meant us g getting the money we so despera ately need, I would walk to hell and back to get it.”
Tickets for the show are priced £26.50 and are available via www. stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
To donate to help Lincoln you can visit www. virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ lincolnslegs and you can follow Jess’ progress on Facebook at https : // www. f acebook. com/ lincolnslegs