STAND-up comic Damian Kingsley is set to travel penniless from Lands End to Edinburgh on a 120 gig comedy tour to raise money for the homeless charity Shelter.

The tour starts on March 24 2016 and finishes at the Edinburgh festival in August. 

Damian won’t be able to use any money or public transport, so he’s hoping to be given shelter, food and maybe a few lifts on the road to Edinburgh – in return he’ll tell jokes to anyone anywhere, from the Nags Head to Granny’s front room, in return for the basic necessities so many people have to do without every day. 

Damian has support from 45 venues already including the Ordulph Arms in Tavistock where he will perform on Monday, April 11, but with over half his slots to be confirmed, he’s likely to end up performing on the street and mowing lawns in exchange for the use of a washing machine or somewhere to lay his sleeping bag. 

Damian said: ‘It’s so important we raise money and awareness for Shelter, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to do this. I am as worried as I am excited about the Knock Knock tour, but my experience will obviously be no more than a small insight into what homeless people go through every day of their lives.

‘Gigs are free entry but the whole point is to raise money for Shelter, so there will be a collection at the end of each gig. If you can’t attend a gig yourself but would like to support the tour a virgin money giving page has been set up here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/knockknocktour

‘I am as worried as I am excited about the tour,’ added Damian. ‘Out of 120 gigs, lots of which don’t normally host comedy, I’m sure there will be some tough nights. I keep having these recurring visions of me dying onstage in a village in the middle of nowhere, trying and failing to sleep in a tent, worried that the farmer who owns the field I’m in will appear with a shotgun, then having to lug all my stuff 14 miles to the next gig like an unfunny wandering minstrel.’

Julie Bolt, Shelter’s Head of Community and Events, said: ‘We’re hugely thankful to Damian for undertaking such an extraordinary challenge to raise funds for Shelter. All of the money he raises will go directly towards making sure no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

‘We wish him the best of luck on the tour and encourage everyone to go along if they get the opportunity. You’ll not only help Shelter to continue be there for everyone who needs them, you’ll get to have a brilliant night out at the same time.’

Damian will hold at least one gig every day, with travel between gigs of up 12 miles. 90% of the venues will be in country villages, with a few exceptions. From July 21 there is a short break until August 4 while Damian performs the Knock Knock show as part of the free fringe in Edinburgh.