3 Apr 2025 Community

A Night of Laughter and Fun: Stand Up For The Kirkwood Raises Over £12,000

On Saturday 16th March 2024, Huddersfield Town Hall was filled with joy, generosity and relentless laughter as Stand Up For The Kirkwood took to the stage for a truly unforgettable evening of comedy, all in support of local hospice care.

Bringing together some of the UK’s top comedic talent, the event was not just about the punchlines, it was about purpose. With a line-up boasting household names like Stephen Bailey, Scott Bennett, Alun Cochrane, Duncan Oakley and Nina Gilligan, it was a night that delivered big on both laughs and fundraising. Hosting the night was the charismatic and ever-passionate Howard Walker, who guided the evening with warmth and wit.

The result? A staggering £12,639.80 raised for The Kirkwood, funds that will go directly towards helping people in Kirklees living with life limiting illnesses and supporting their families through incredibly difficult times.

Rachael Savage, Event Manager with The Kirkwood, reflected on the success of the night:

She said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with how well Stand Up For The Kirkwood went. It was a fantastic night filled with laughter, energy, and generosity. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported us, we raised an incredible £12,639.80, which will make a real difference to the lives of people in our community living with life limiting illnesses.

“A huge thank you to Huddersfield Town Hall and it's wonderful staff for hosting us so brilliantly, and to our amazing comedians and our brilliant MC Howard Walker, who kept the room buzzing from start to finish. We’re so grateful to everyone who made the night so special. We hope this will be the first of many Stand Up For The Kirkwood nights in the future.”

Howard Walker, MC for the night, captured the emotional spirit behind the laughter, by commenting: “I've done hundreds of comedy nights, but few will be as special as Sunday night. It was quite incredible to see so many people there, in such a stunning venue, all coming to support The Kirkwood; it just goes to show how much the place means to people in the area, and how many people are linked by the amazing work they do.

“As for the comedy, you won't have found a better line-up in the country that weekend! Alun Cochrane, Scott Bennett, Nina Gilligan, Duncan Oakley and Stephen Bailey were all incredible, and it was a privilege to host them all. Huddersfield Town Hall is a big, BIG room, and the waves of laughter absolutely filled it!

“I hope the money raised was significant, and will help The Kirkwood carry on their wonderful work, and most of all, I hope we do it again soon!”

Duncan Oakley, one of the night’s stand-out performers, added with his trademark humour:

He said: “I'm ever so lucky that I get to raise money for a great cause by getting together with my friends and making people laugh rather than forcing my family to pay me to run a marathon dressed as a potato!”

Stand Up For The Kirkwood proved that laughter really can be a force for good. With a packed audience, electric atmosphere and a cause that touched every heart in the room, it wasn’t just a comedy night, it was a night of community, care and compassion.

The Kirkwood extends its heartfelt thanks to every attendee, performer, sponsor, and volunteer who helped make the evening such a resounding success. A big thanks to print sponsor HAD PRINT and event photographer Tom Flynn 

Here’s to more laughter, more love and hopefully, many more nights like this to come.