Entertainment

Russell Brand donates gig proceeds to Manchester terror attack victims

The comedian performed in Southport a day after the attack.
The comedian performed in Southport a day after the attack. The comedian performed in Southport a day after the attack.

Russell Brand has donated the proceeds of a stand-up gig to victims of the Manchester bombing.

The comedian took to the stage in Southport, Merseyside, a day after the terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert on Monday night which left 22 people dead.

His donation will be made through anti-Islamophobia organisation, Mend, which is fundraising to help the families of victims of the attack, a representative confirmed.

CEO of Mend, Dr Shazad Amin, told the Press Association: “We have worked with Russell before and he contacted us saying he wanted to donate the proceedings of the gig to our Just Giving fund.

“He wanted to make a gesture. It’s in his nature to want to help.”

On Tuesday, Russell posted a lengthy message on Instagram urging people to “stay true to love and try to be strong and kind”.

He added: “There will always be people in the world that find a flag under which to this express unfathomable cruelty.”

“I cannot understand it. There are too many things I love to abandon my life to hatred, starting with my girlfriend and daughter all the way to places I’ve been and unthinkingly enjoyed, like Manchester.”