The Stand Up Challenge returns! Our annual fundraiser puts local figures onto a stage for the very first time performing their very first stand-up routine. We've wrangled 8 willing/nervous/brazen (delete as appropriate) individuals from local businesses, charities, universities and other backgrounds to take on the challenge, all whilst raising money for Big Difference Company.

Participants are supported and mentored by comedian Jason Neale, who delivers a 1-2-1 session and a group workshop & ‘try-out’ show, to prepare each participant to take part in the Stand Up Challenge show at The Y Theatre.

Performing as part of Stand Up Challenge 2025 will be:

Jacqui Norton

Sunita Patel (shared fundraising with Leicester Hospitals Charity)

Miles Barnes

Liam Fish

Trusha Lakhani

Rob Spence

Sallyanne Kirk

Hema Badger-Mistry (shared fundraising with Pedestrian)

All proceeds from the Stand Up Challenge will support Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). The charity aims to promote health & wellbeing through the arts, promote comedy and comedy performance as an art form and use comedy to educate and inspire.

It runs Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival each February, along with a range of other projects and programmes year round; and is motivated to make a BIG DIFFERENCE in as many lives as possible. In particular, Big Difference creates work that tackles access & inclusion, equality and diversity, outreach to rural communities and children & young people.

Stand Up Challenge is proudly sponsored by Howes Percival LLP.

Tickets for the show are available here: https://thebigdifference.co.uk/events/stand-up-challenge-2025/