Peter Kay is to donate £14,000 to a children's charity - £1 for every ticket holder who went to see him at his O2 Arena stand up gig in London.
The car share and Phoenix Nights star, from Bolton, made the announcement at his show which was welcomed by huge cheers from the crowds. He told fans that a pound from each of their tickets would go to a secret Santa fund at Action for Children ahead of Christmas.
Kay was performing the first of his monthly residency gigs at the O2 as part of his nationwide tour – his first in 12 years, reports the Mirror. A representative for the star later confirmed that the donation would be made to the charity.
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Kay, 49, said: “I was coming down on the way here and I thought what we should do because it’s Christmas. I think Christmas is about doing good things for other people so we’re gonna take a pound off each of you.
"I’m going to put it in a children's charity and I was looking at my phone on the way down and I found one called Action for Children. They do a Secret Santa and it seems really lovely. There’s 14,000 people here, so if I take a pound that’s £14,000 for children on your behalf. So thanks!”
Locks Farmer, of Action for Children, said: “This is such fantastic news – a huge thank you to Peter Kay. Sadly, there will be children all across the UK who face a very different Christmas this year.
“No toys, no Christmas dinner, nothing but a cold house. This amazing donation will support our frontline workers who are helping struggling families.”
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