Dear Friend in comedy

I didn’t get where I am today without writing a letter or two.

When the great David Nobbs died in 2015 we lost one of our most treasured and prolific comedy writers. However we also lost a passionate advocate for comedy writing in general and a champion of writers trying to make it in the business.

The David Nobbs Memorial Trust has been established by comedy producers, performers and people who knew and loved David, with the blessing of his family, to honour his memory by supporting new comedy writing in the UK. Getting a foothold as a writer be it in sketch, book writing or sitcom, can be tough so we’ve decided to try to help those starting out. Our plan is to run a competition in David’s name and award a modest bursary that could help winners set aside some precious hours for writing.

We are hoping you can help us get the bursary off the ground.

Our target is to raise enough to ensure we can keep the bursary scheme running in its earliest years. The more we raise, the more writers we, and you, can help. Your contribution – big or small – could make all the difference.

Each of us have benefitted at some stage from the help and encouragement of others. David understood this. Throughout his career he took time to give back and support new writers and new writing. Be it at an event or down the pub, David always made time to inspire new talent. In his memory we would like to continue that philosophy.

In Perrin, CJ, Pratt, Jimmy and the rest, David left us of some of the finest comic creations in the English language. Your donation to the fund will enable us to extend David’s legacy by helping new writers in years to come.

"I knew David Nobbs from the very earliest days – when we were both struggling comedy writers. Throughout my subsequent career David was extraordinarily helpful and supportive. I’m delighted, through his name, to continue his help and support for new writing talent." MICHAEL PALIN

Thank you