Laughter Lends a Helping Hand at this Year's Comedy Festival

A popular comedian is putting his money where his mouth is at this year’s NZ International Comedy Festival, donating a portion of every ticket sale to a worthwhile children’s charity.

Aucklander Reuben Lee, who will perform four stand-up shows at the festival, is contributing $5 from every ticket to Make-A-Wish New Zealand – an organisation that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Lee says the premise of his routine, Heroes, allows for the perfect opportunity to partner with the Kiwi charity.

“My aim is to explore what a hero is from varying perspectives - whether you are a young child or my views as a 39 year old comedian,” says Lee.

“My job is to make people laugh – which hopefully they will do! But this new show is also a nice way for me to be able to give something back to children who deserve something special.”

Make-A-Wish Chief Executive Scott Simpson says the organisation is thrilled to be involved with Lee at this year’s festival.

“Every dollar of the portion donated helps us grant magical wishes for really special Kiwi kids here in our community. We couldn’t make the magic we do without true super heroes like Reuben,” says Simpson.

“The money raised from the show will be used in our wish granting activities - all money received will be tagged to a specific wish of a child aged between 3 and 17 with a life-threatening medical condition,” he says.

Heroes follows Lee’s breakout performance as part of the show Full English which sold out at both the 2009 and 2010 Comedy Festival.

“It was time for me to go at it alone and try something different,” he says.

“Heroes takes a look back at those I once looked up to, those who inspired and stood forward when told to step back. I work my way from my perceptions as a kid obsessed with comic books in the 70s, through to the dance floors divas of the 80s and now I’m slowly on route to landing in the comfort of adulthood in 2011.”

Lee’s show Heroes is part of the NZ International Comedy Festival. For more information visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz