A COMEDIAN is helping a Blackpool venue to raise money for victims of Cumbria's floods.


Roy Chubby Brown holding a copy of the Evening Mail in 1986. Evening Mail photographic archive One of Blackpool’s top entertainment venues, Viva Blackpool, has helped raise £3,620 for the Cumbrian Flood Appeal by staging a fundraising event named Kendal in the Wind.

It is set to see the donation swell even more, thanks to the generosity of comedian Roy Chubby Brown, who has donated his ‘Blue’ grand piano for auction.

The star-spangled fundraiser was the brainchild of Sir Elton John tribute entertainer, Jimmy Love, and was fully supported by Viva Blackpool, where one of the owners and cabaret show entertainer, Leye D Johns, comes from Barrow.

Viva offered the cabaret and event venue free-of-charge, so all proceeds could go to the appeal.

The charity event was also supported by a host of entertainers who performed for free on December 28, including comedians Ryan Gleeson, Steve Harris, Greg Cook and Britain’s Got Talent’s Lynn Ruth Miller.
Roy Chubby Brown

They were joined by vocalists, including Tris Drew and Lareena Mitchell and a number of other singers and musicians, including vocal ensemble Diva. When Roy Chubby Brown, who performed at Viva on December 27, heard about the event, he offered his piano as a unique auction item.

The piano, which has been displayed at Viva, where Chubby is a regular performer, for the past year will now be auctioned on e-bay.