A FUNDRAISING evening featuring comic greats John Lloyd and Harry Enfield has raised more than £7,000 for Bedales Schools’ charitable bursary arm – the John Badley Foundation.
The event saw the lecture theatre at the school in Steep packed with students, past and present, and parents.
Comedian, actor, writer and director Harry Enfield rose to fame on TV as Saturday Live’s Greek kebab-shop owner, Stavros and the iconic 1980s builder Loadsamoney.
Writer and producer John Lloyd, is renowned for his work on satirical TV shows such as Not the Nine O’Clock News, Spitting Image, Blackadder and QI.
The duo, who first worked together on Spitting Image, had some sage advice for the student body.
John said: “It is absolutely vital that you do something you love, never ever do a job just because it is well paid, that is contemptible and you’ll hate it.
“The great thing about doing something you love, is that you may not be rich but you are much more likely to be happy; and paradoxically, you stand a very good chance of also being rich.”
They also stressed the importance of being persistent, always being honest and that if you wanted to launch your own career in TV, the use of technology and the rise of YouTube has made it more viable.
One parent said: “It was a privilege to spend an hour with two comic geniuses,” another audience member added that the evening on Monday, October 17: “Taught me I still have a lot to learn about life.”
The John Badley Foundation awards 100% bursaries, covering the cost of all Bedales sxchool fees and extras like school trips that are important to further students’ studies.
Head of Development at Bedales, Veryan Vere Hodge said: “We are thrilled that John and Harry have helped us raise over £7,000 for the John Badley Foundation, which gives young people the life-changing opportunity that a Bedales education can provide.”
The John Badley Foundation is the working title for Bedales School Development Trust, Registered Charity Number 1138332.