Funny Business returns to City Hall with new business bods stepping into spotlight

1st October 2015

In just over a weeks' time, 7 high profile business leaders from Sheffield will take to the stage at the City Hall to find out who is the funniest of them all.

In a bid to raise as much money as possible for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, the participants will each deliver a 5 minute comedy sketch to a packed out venue where 4 judges will decide their funny fate. Now into its fourth year, Funny Business Sheffield is a unique event organised by Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity which has raised an impressive £60,000 since it first began in 2012. Following a similar format to previous years, the event sees the comical contestants undergo a five week training regime with policeman turned creative comic, Alfie Moore before bravely taking to the stage to showcase their new-fangled talents on October 7th in their home town. The high profile participants include: Michele Phillips, Director, Lupton Fawcett Denison Till, Andrew Howard, Medical Director, One Health Group, George Forsyth, General Manager, Napoleons Casino, Craig Gray, Director, Natwest (Yorkshire and Humberside) Greg Naylor, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Chesterfield NHS, Phil Turner, Owner, Exposed Magazine and Dr Brendon Swales, GP. Deputy Charity Director, Tina Harrison said, -We are extremely excited for this year's Funny Business event which includes some extremely influential business people from across the Sheffield City Region. -Over the last few weeks, in preparation for the big event, the participants have put their all into honing their stand- up skills and are hoping for lots of laughs on the night! -As well as raising sponsorship, each participant is eager to help raise the profile of their local cancer hospital and highlight the vital services which it provides for cancer patients across our region. -The event is certain to be a sell-out and we hope that yet again we will raise funds which ultimately make a big difference to a person receiving treatment at Weston Park Hospital today and in the future. The money raised from individual sponsorship and ticket sales will go towards funding a wide variety of projects for Weston Park Hospital, including the expansion of research studies, improving the way cancer treatments are delivered and supporting the ongoing care provisions of patients and their families affected by cancer. The event is being generously sponsored by One Health, Hampton by Hilton Sheffield and Marcos New York Italian who will host the after party on the night of the 7th October. General Manager, Peter Hendry said, -For us to be involved with Funny Business for a 2nd year running was an easy decision. Last year, we were lucky enough to be involved in this high profile event where brave business people from across Sheffield come together to raise funds for this fantastic charity. -There is a great deal of respect and admiration to be given to the contestants, and having witnessed some of the rehearsals, we are definitely in for another fabulous event. We are also looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the after show party at Marcos New York Italian. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to support the world-class cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer. The hospital is respected internationally as a centre of excellence for the treatment of cancer and for conducting pioneering cancer research. The seven novice comics will be judged on the night by four high profile Sheffield figures: Chief Executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sir Andrew Cash, David Grey MBE, Jill Davis and The Star Business Editor, David Walsh. Funny Business Participant and General Manager of Napoleons Casino said, -Everyone is affected by cancer at some time in their life whether it is a relative, friend or themselves.  I lost my Younger brother seven years ago. We all should try in any way to raise funds to beat this disease and hopefully help others in the future. -I'm looking forward to taking part in Funny Business because it'll make me nervous and I'll enjoy that! There are just a few remaining tickets available which can be purchased online for £20 each at www.funnybusinesssheffield.org.uk or by calling the charity office on 01142265370. For those who can't come along to the event, the participants can be individually sponsored at: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/funny2015