Gareth Richards' Edinburgh show becomes fundraiser for his family
Gareth Richards' Edinburgh Fringe show has been turned into a benefit for his family.
Richards, who died last month after a motorway crash, arranged his Free Fringe venue before he passed away.
Now his friends, comedians Mark Simmons and Danny Ward, are booking a fundraising hour for his sons in the slot that he would have had, 4pm every day at the Whistlebinkies bar, from 5th to 27th August.
Acts already confirmed to perform at A Show For Gareth Richards, which features a different line-up each day, include Nick Helm, Iain Stirling, Jo Caulfield, Markus Birdman, Rob Auton, Paul F Taylor, Matt Green, Joe Wells and Andrew White, with more set to be announced.
All proceeds from the show will go to the trust fund for Richards' sons set up by his agents Mirth Control, which has already topped £45,000 and can be found on JustGiving.com for those seeking to donate.
Simmons and Ward told British Comedy Guide that they will henceforth sign off their Jokes podcast with the phrase: "Be more Gareth".
"It will keep his spirit close and it's also a cracking mantra for life - be more gentle, kind, considered and brave no matter the cost" they explained. "It also applied to the writing of comedy too - be funnier."
Nominated for best newcomer at the 2010 Fringe, Richards was well known for performing songs with the rarely seen but distinctive electronic instrument, the Omnichord.
"For the last couple of years we were in Edinburgh, our days followed a regular pattern" Simmons and Ward recalled. "We would do our shows, meet up at Banshee Labyrinth for a drink and then go and eat.
"Anywhere that did chicken wings suited Gareth. One great memory is of going to watch Nick Helm's [play] I Think You Stink after one such dinner. Oh, and there was that time they wouldn't put Gareth's garlic aioli on the side of his plate, it had to be in the burger.
"We'd never seen him angry before."