Irish actress Aisling Bea has voiced her frustration with the “lack of humanity in politics” ahead of her third annual food drive and charity fundraiser in support of Hackney Foodbank.
The comedian, 40, is uniting comedy and community this weekend with three events in London at a time when the foodbank's services are needed more than ever.
The food drive kicks off on Saturday, December 21, with a festive gathering at The Bill Murray Comedy Club in Islington. Attendees are encouraged to bring tinned goods and toiletries — vital items for families who rely on Hackney Foodbank’s services. Last year, the event raised over £17,000 and collected enough donations to create 211 emergency food parcels.
Then on Sunday, December 22, the festivities continue at EartH in Dalston with two star-studded comedy shows. The 3pm lineup features Bea, Sara Pascoe, and Nish Kumar, while the 7:30pm show adds Katherine Ryan to the mix alongside Bea and Kumar. Both events, hosted by Angel Comedy Club founder Barry Ferns, promise surprise appearances, including Drag Race UK stars Jonbers Blonde and Just May.
For Bea, this is more than just an annual tradition; it’s a deeply personal response to systemic issues driving food insecurity. “The biggest one is people with kids and elderly people,” she told The Standard. “Just the fact that we leave elderly people to have to budget or worry about their food is so scandalous in a country that has massive fireworks displays for New Year’s Eve.
“I think at the moment we have a lot of politics leading from power and votes and not from humanity. I’m bereft, as most people are, with the lack of humanity in politics at the moment.”
This year’s fundraiser takes on an even more emotional resonance for Bea, who welcomed her first child earlier in the year. Reflecting on the struggles faced by families, she said: “I do think one thing that is very visceral after having a baby — because [my daughter] is a formula baby — is when she cries for food, it is so destroying, and I know the turnaround is going to be a maximum of five minutes.
“But the idea of someone not being able to feed their kids is so brutal on the body now.... That part of it is unimaginable — what people have to go through.”
Hackney Foodbank, like many others across the UK, has seen demand surge by 30% this winter, providing emergency food to around 670 people every week. According to Bea, the situation has worsened due to the economic fallout of the pandemic, with some former donors now relying on foodbanks themselves.
“From my talks with the people who run the foodbanks, unfortunately, it’s not a lack of want from people. It’s that people have less to donate. The people who used to donate are sometimes now coming to the foodbank themselves. It’s a rolling problem, and it’s only gotten worse,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the This Way Up star remains inspired by the resilience and generosity of those who show up to support the cause each year. “Every year I do it, I go, ‘people are so good.’ When you’re on Instagram or your phone all day long and the news is so depressing, you can forget that people are very good and want to connect and help,” she shared.
She also sees comedy as a powerful tool for raising awareness about difficult issues. For Bea, this fundraiser is a small yet impactful way to address a crisis that touches countless lives. “Even for the volunteers working day in and day out, it’s important to know that their work is not for nothing. We as a community really appreciate what they do,” she added.
And the feeling is mutual as Jenna Fansa, Head of Fundraising for Hackney Foodbank, said Bea’s fundraising events are “vital” to their organisation.
She shared: “Aisling and the team at Angel Comedy have shown such kindness to Hackney Foodbank over the years and we’re so very thankful. These fundraising events at EartH in Dalston are a chance to let your hair down and have a good belly laugh, while raising vital funds to ensure no-one in the community goes hungry. Demand for our food bank is up 30% this year and this winter is the toughest we’ve ever experienced, so these events couldn’t be better timed.”
Tickets for the comedy shows are available via Dice, starting at £20, with additional options to donate. You can also donate directly to the Hackney Foodbank here.
