Glasgow helicopter crash: Comedians line up for Clutha show

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25480392

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Top comedians are to take part in a comedy show later in aid of people and families affected by the Glasgow helicopter crash.

Comedy circuit stalwarts such as Des Clarke, Bruce Morton, Gary Little and Janey Godley have volunteered for the Glasgow Stands Up For The Clutha gig.

Money raised from the event will go to the Lord Provost's Clutha appeal fund.

The Police Scotland helicopter crash at the Clutha on 29 November killed the three crew and seven people in the pub.

The comedy show on Sunday evening will take place at Glasgow's O2 Academy, just yards away from the site of the crash.

Organisers have promised that the line-up will include "very famous Glasgow funny men".

'Legendary bar'

Event organiser Alan Anderson said waking up to the news about the Clutha helicopter crash was "awful".

"It's such a legendary bar," he said.

"Almost every Glaswegian will have sunk a pint there in there. Many comedians will have gigged there. It's an institution.

"Like many people I just wanted to do something to help. It made sense to organise a fundraising gig.

"As soon as I started asking for comedians to help I was inundated.

"We have the very best in Scottish comedy donating their time for free.

"It's incredible that despite this being one of the busiest times for comedians they've all given their time up for free because they all want to do something."

The Lord Provost's Clutha appeal fund has already raised at least £220,000.

Ten people died in the Clutha tragedy.

They were: Pilot David Traill, 51, Pc Tony Collins, 43, Pc Kirsty Nelis, 36, Joe Cusker, 59, John McGarrigle, 57, Mark O'Prey, 44, Gary Arthur, 48, Colin Gibson, 33, Robert Jenkins, 61, and Samuel McGhee, 56.

It has not yet been established what caused the helicopter to crash, although investigators say initial evidence rules out engine or gearbox failure.