They say, ‘Charity begins at home’, and it certainly does in my case because every week, I receive several requests to appear in or organise charity shows via my letterbox and in-box.

Most people in the public eye, when asked to give their time to aid worthy causes, are happy to help when we can, but, just like everyone else, we have to make a living.

There’s only so much charity work one person can commit to and occasionally the date of a charity show clashes with a paid gig that we’re booked (and contracted) for months beforehand.

So, whenever I reluctantly turn down a charity event, unless the organisers know me as someone who’s usually pleased to help, I suspect my genuine ,“I’m really sorry, but I’m not available that night”, doesn’t go down too well.

This saddens me and creates an undeserved feeling of guilt as I seldom turn down genuine charities, especially those close to my heart.

I’m well aware how privileged I am to have a public profile that makes me ‘attractive’ to charities and every year I’m involved in raising funds, awareness and taking part in benefit nights.

Hopefully, one day these charities will be a thing of the past, together with cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes and other conditions that directly affect our everyday lives and those of people we care about.

But what charities help comedians who’ve fallen on hard times or become too ill to work?

Apart from The Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund who run Brinsworth House, the home for retired entertainers in Twickenham . . . that’s about it.

Which is ironic, considering the amount of fundraising that many entertainers are involved with over their lifetime.

I recently attended a charity ‘do’, with a talented entertainer whose biggest concern wasn’t, “Will the audience like me?”, but whether she’d be able to pay her rent.

This established performer was on her third charity event this month and without regular paid work, it’s highly unlikely she’ll ever be in a position to buy a home, let alone have a brief holiday to recharge her batteries

Let me just clarify. If you ever need my help to raise funds for a charity, please contact me and I’ll do my best to assist.

But please try and be understanding if there’s already something in my diary for that date.

It’s probably another charity show!