• Wednesday 04 May 2011
• posted by Nicky Branagh
• Comments

Comedy always seems to have a way of making people sit up listen. Red Nose Day is a prime example, what with Comic Relief having recently raised over £74,000,000 for people across Africa and the UK. Even smaller, more personal efforts have a way of drawing attention when linked with a (even really minor) celebrity. Like when comedian/writer/presenter Danny Wallace accidentally started a cult before turning his group of followers into a Karma Army, aiming to make the world a better place through Random Acts of Kindness.

And now, comedian Josie Long is hoping to use her popularity for a good cause. Two years ago, Long decided that she needed to make a change. At 27 years old, the stand-up comic felt a bit ‘woolly’ on the subject of politics so as part of her own ‘a hundred days to make me a better person’ project, she made the move to become more politically aware.

And it looks like the decision has paid of: Long has recently spoken out about her venture into the political sphere and, more specifically, university education.

Together with friend and experienced fundraiser Neil Griffiths, Long has set up a new charity entitled Arts Emergency Service which intends to help young people from underprivileged backgrounds tackle their university debt, with particular focus on those wanting to study subjects in the arts and humanities.

‘I've always believed that higher education shouldn't make you have a massive debt at the end. It should be state–funded,’ Long told The Guardian.

Brushing up on her political knowledge led Long to get involved with the student protests last year and she is now working to raise money for a long-term mentoring scheme, starting with pupils from where she lives in east London.

The end goal is ambitious to say the least, with the charity set up in order ‘to reinstate free education for all at a tertiary level.’

But that’s not all. Arts Emergency Service will also run a monthly lottery for graduates which will see winners get some (or possibly, and hopefully, all) of their debt paid off.

‘We've got a lot of righteous indignation.’ Long told The Guardian, fully accepting the great task the charity has set itself. ‘It's fuel. And I think the government is going to keep giving us fuel for at least the next four and a half years.’