Laffalang gang hand £1,600 charity cash to Big Pink Dress man

Colin Burgin-Plews, who raised cash for charity Breast Cancer Now by taking on events like the Great North Run in his unusual attire, was handed £1,602 by the team behind sketch show, the Laffalang.

After being chosen as the show’s nominated charity for the year, Colin attended each of the gang’s shows at the Westovian Theatre, in Pier Parade, South Shields, to carry out bucket collections.

But it was the Xmas Laffalang which pulled in the huge donation, after those behind the show decided to donate all of the money from ticket sales and bucket collections to the cause, which supports women with breast cancer.

They decided to raise the cash after an injury left Colin unsure if he’d ever be able to run again.

Producer Gareth Hunter said: “We supported the charity throughout the year with bucket collections, but thought our Christmas show was a great opportunity to raise some cash because we’d brought together a great line-up of brilliant local actors and comedians, and to be able to raise so much was fantastic.

“It’s a fantastic charity and we all love what Colin does, so we were really pleased to be able to raise so much for them.”

Colin added: “I didn’t even think I’d get half of that amount, to be honest.

“I can’t believe they managed to raise £1,600 in one night – it’s fantastic. It usually takes me a while to raise that much. The lads and lasses from the Laffalang have been fantastic with us, letting us do bucket collections at the end of their shows.

“They’ve really taken us in, even to the point that I’m going to be in the next show, and I’ve never acted in my life. They’ve all been brilliant and I really appreciate what they’ve done.”

The Valentine Laffalang runs at the Westovian Theatre on February 12 and 13.

Tickets cost £11. To book, call the box office on 0191 424 7788.