The tragic drowning of a talented Whitley Bay musician has led to his friends and family providing the inspiration for an annual search for the regions best comedy scriptwriters.

Well loved North East Charity, The Sunday for Sammy Trust are offering up to ten comedy writers the chance to have their sketches professionally performed in an exciting competition in conjunction with the popular Laffalang team.

Comedians, Jason Cook and Gavin Webster will judge the initial entries and then up to ten people will go forward to a day school at The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle in July. Ed Waugh and Laffalang producer Gareth Hunter will run the event with members of the regular Sunday for Sammy cast also attending the session.

When generous donations were given to the charity following the death of Philip Richardson in 2013, it was recognised that his talent in the North East’s open mike scene were appropriate to the spirit of the charity. Coupled with the fact that he had also worked in the comedy field too led Sunday for Sammy producer, Ray Laidlaw to Philip’s mother Patricia.

“Philip was always helping people and he had a particular interest in music, comedy and the arts,” said Patricia who also lives in Whitley Bay.

“After his funeral we had a collection and decided that the Sunday For Sammy Trust was the most appropriate charity to donate to. We then had a tribute night at the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle that raised even more money. His friends are still very supportive to the family and only this week they had a get together in the Rendezvous Café to remember him.”

Producer, Ray Laidlaw is looking to make the comedy scriptwriting competition an annual event named in honour of Philip.

“As well as keeping Philip’s memory alive, the kind donations from Patricia and Philip’s friends will go towards helping other people get a foot up on the entertainment ladder. Although I never met Philip, I’ve heard a lot about him and I know that his talent, attitude to life and love of comedy makes him the ideal person to name the competition after.

“The writer of the best script will receive 'The Phil Richardson Comedy Writing Award' and the performance of the sketches will be at the Stand Comedy Club on 16th August. ”

There is still time for aspiring comedy scriptwriters to submit their entry before the closing date of Friday 29th May.                                                                                           
Sketches on the theme of spring should be between 500 words and 1,000 words maximum and submitted to Ray Laidlaw at info@sundayforsammy.org