Comedy Night Fundraiser in Waterloo for Croydon Lambeth Food Bank 2026

Key Points

• Croydon and Lambeth Food Bank is hosting a comedy fundraiser at Oasis Auditorium in Waterloo on 28 February 2026, organised by Armpit Comedy Club.
• The event aims to raise funds for the food bank, which provides over 27,000 meals annually to people in need in South London.
• Elizabeth Mayhem MBE, Project Manager of Croydon and Lambeth Food Bank, stated: “These fund-raising events provide money not only to provide food parcels but also gives us the ability to help and advise people in crisis to break the cycle of poverty.”​
• The event will be hosted by Mark Moloney, a finalist in the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year competition in 2024.
• Headliner is Eli Hart, winner of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2025.
• All participating comedians are performing pro bono, with Armpit Comedy handling organisation from their Clapham base.​
• Elizabeth Mayhem MBE added: “We are extremely grateful to anyone in the creative field who is able to support us at events by offering pro bono support which enables these events to be more successful and attractive to audiences.”​
• The food bank, originally Norwood and Brixton Food Bank opened in 2011, operates under the Trussell Trust network and offers debt advice, job clubs, and financial support.
• Doors open at 7:00 PM, comedy starts at 7:30 PM, and finishes at 9:30 PM at Oasis Centre Waterloo, 1 Kennington Road.​
• The food bank rebranded to Lambeth & Croydon Food Bank as of April 2025, serving South Lambeth and North Croydon with five hubs and delivery services.​
• In 2022/2023, the food bank supported over 27,000 people through food parcels, advice, and partnerships like Christians Against Poverty (CAP).​

Waterloo, South London (South London News) February 19, 2026 – A comedy night fundraiser organised by Armpit Comedy is set to take place at Oasis Auditorium to support the Croydon and Lambeth Food Bank, which delivers vital aid to thousands facing poverty in the region.

The event, scheduled for 28 February 2026, promises a lineup of up-and-coming comedians performing pro bono to boost funds for the charity’s operations. Elizabeth Mayhem MBE, the food bank’s Project Manager, highlighted the broader impact of such initiatives in her comments to local media.

What Is the Comedy Fundraiser Event?

The fundraiser features a night of stand-up comedy hosted by Mark Moloney at the Oasis Auditorium, part of the Oasis Centre Waterloo on 1 Kennington Road.

Doors open at 7:00 PM, with performances kicking off at 7:30 PM and wrapping up by 9:30 PM, making it a convenient evening outing for supporters.

As reported in coverage from South London media outlets, Armpit Comedy Club, based in Clapham, is coordinating the artists and logistics to ensure a seamless event. The club, known for nurturing new talent, has rallied a host of comedians for this pro bono performance, emphasising community support.​

Eli Hart serves as the headliner, fresh off his victory in the BBC New Comedy Awards 2025, where he clinched the top prize at the final held at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre. Hart, a Midlands-based comic and previous finalist in the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year and Komedia New Comedy Award, expressed his gratitude upon winning:

“I’m very grateful. I love getting jokes. Thank you.”

Who Is Hosting the Comedy Night?

Mark Moloney, the event host, brings his rising profile to the stage after reaching the finals of the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year competition in 2024. He was also shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Awards 2025, earning praise such as

“my favourite joke by any comedian [this Fringe] […] left me with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard”

from James Hodge of Attitude magazine.

Moloney’s involvement underscores the pro bono spirit, as all acts are donating their time to maximise proceeds for the food bank. Armpit Comedy Club’s role in assembling the lineup from its Clapham network ensures a diverse and entertaining bill.​

Why Is the Croydon and Lambeth Food Bank Organising This?

The food bank provides emergency food parcels, having supported over 27,000 people in 2022/2023 alone, alongside debt advice, job clubs, and financial guidance through partnerships like Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Brixton. Elizabeth Mayhem MBE explained to journalists:

“These fund-raising events provide money not only to provide food parcels but also gives us the ability to help and advise people in crisis to break the cycle of poverty.”

She further noted the value of creative sector support:

“We are extremely grateful to anyone in the creative field who is able to support us at events by offering pro bono support which enables these events to be more successful and attractive to audiences.”

Funds raised will directly aid in sustaining these services amid ongoing community needs.

What Is the History of the Croydon and Lambeth Food Bank?

Originally launched as Norwood and Brixton Food Bank in September 2011 at St Luke’s Church in West Norwood, the organisation grew rapidly with centres in Brixton (March 2012) and Streatham Hill. It operates as part of the Trussell Trust network, functioning like a franchise model across the UK.

By 2016, it registered as Norwood & Brixton Foodbank Limited, a charity, and expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic to include delivery services and partnerships with Waterloo, Vauxhall, and Clapham Park food banks. In October 2022, it absorbed Croydon Food Bank, and by April 2025, rebranded to Lambeth & Croydon Food Bank to reflect its coverage of South Lambeth and North Croydon.​

The team now runs five face-to-face hubs for benefits advice, form completion, debt support, housing help, and general welfare chats, complemented by deliveries for dignity. In 2023, its volunteers received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for their dedication.​

Elizabeth Maytom, linked to the early days and an active St Luke’s member, initiated research into child poverty that led to the food bank’s founding, overcoming initial scepticism about the need. She opened the South Lambeth site in 2011 after partnering with the Trussell Trust.​

Who Are the Key Comedians Involved?

Headliner Eli Hart’s BBC win in 2025, beating finalists like Ayo Adeneken, Jess Carrivick, Shugufta Choudhry, Evaldas Karosas, and Pravanya Pillay, earned him a 30-minute audio pilot commission, £1,000, and a trophy. He described the honour:

“Being named BBC New Comedian means a lot; I’ll get great opportunities and to work with wonderful people that can help me keep doing this dumb thing I do.”

Head judge Fatiha El-Ghorri praised him:

“Eli absolutely has funny bones and I can’t wait to see his career develop.”

The competition, now in its 30th year, has launched stars like Alan Carr, Peter Kay, and Joe Lycett.​

Host Mark Moloney’s credentials include the 2024 Leicester Square finals and BBC shortlist, with reviews calling his work “a delightful surreal fantasy of deadpan humour” from The Real Chris Sparkle. A range of other Armpit Comedy artists will perform, though specific names beyond the headliner remain unannounced in initial reports.

Where and When Is the Event Taking Place?

The Oasis Auditorium at Oasis Centre Waterloo, 1 Kennington Road, hosts the event on Saturday, 28 February 2026. Social media from Oasis Waterloo promotes it as

“a brilliant night of up-and-coming comedy, in partnership with Armpit Comedy and hosted by Mark Moloney, to raise money for Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank.”

An Instagram reel from 13 February 2026 shared by Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank urged:

“Only 2 weeks to go until our charity comedy night, raising funds for vital support in our community.”

Tickets and further details are available via the Oasis event page.

How Does This Fit Into Broader Charity Comedy Efforts?

Comedy fundraisers for food banks are not new in the UK; Canned Laughter, a London-based initiative since 2017, raises food and funds locally by asking audiences to bring donations alongside ticket proceeds. While unrelated directly, it highlights the sector’s role in tackling food poverty through laughter.​

This Waterloo event aligns with such trends, leveraging rising stars like Hart and Moloney to draw crowds for a worthy cause amid persistent needs in Lambeth and Croydon. The food bank’s evolution from a single church outpost to a comprehensive support network demonstrates community resilience.

As South London faces economic pressures, initiatives like this comedy night play a crucial role in sustaining aid. Elizabeth Mayhem MBE’s statements emphasise breaking poverty cycles through multifaceted help. With pro bono talent and strong partnerships, the 28 February event promises impact beyond entertainment.