Budding stand-up comedian to make Weymouth return for one-off charity gig (From Dorset Echo)
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Budding stand-up comedian to make Weymouth return for one-off charity gig
2:00pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Emma Walker
YOU MUST BE JOKING: Afsheen Panjalizadeh with his London Marathon number
A BUDDING stand-up comedian from Weymouth will return to the town tonight for a one-off charity gig.
Afsheen Panjalizadeh, 25, is hoping the performance will boost fund- raising for Asthma UK ahead of his second London Marathon run in April.
It will be the amateur comic’s 15th gig but the first he has performed in his hometown.
The funny man, who has been described as ‘a natural joker’, said he was looking forward to performing to all of his family and friends.
“Weymouth is a special place to me.
“It’s where I grew up and where all of my family live.
“I am urging as many people as possible to come to support me and help Asthma UK.”
He added: “I first started doing stand-up in December in London.
“The first gig was so nerve-wracking but since then it has become easier.”
The comic, who lives in Essex and works as a boxing development officer for the Amateur Boxing Association, is determined to ‘learn the skills of the trade’ so he can become a full-time comedian.
He said: “I try to make life stories funny, I’ve always known I could tell a joke or two.”
His dad, nightclub owner Parviz, who lives in Preston, said: “He’s very funny and a natural joker.
“It should be a really good show.”
The dedicated fundraiser, who suffers with asthma, left the town aged 19 to attend Brighton University where he studied sports and exercise science.
He added: “I had some pretty bad asthma attacks when I was younger and ended up in hospital.”
The former Wey Valley School pupil has so far collected more than £300 towards his target of £1,600 for Asthma UK.
He said he is determined to complete this year’s marathon in less than five hours.
“I do a few charity challenges now but nothing has ever been as hard as last year’s London Marathon.
“Last year my knee gave way at 19 miles and I finally hobbled over the finish in five hours 24 minutes.”
One Night Stand with AF & Friends will take place at Goldfingers tonight at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £6; to donate to Asthma UK visit justgiving.com/afsheenp Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
