Tom Ballard just joking for charity

WHEN the Star Observer asked Tom Ballard if he could provide a sneak peek at some of the jokes he plans to tell on Camp Quality’s Just Joking comedy night, his answer was quite hilarious.

“HELL NO YOU SHOULD JUST COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF YOU LAZY SO-AND-SO,” he said.

Ballard will join David Smeidt, Ray Badran, Smart Casual, Umit Bali, Katie Burch and Merrick Watts in an evening of rapid fire laughs to help raise money for the charity that supports children and their families who are affected by cancer.

“They help kids. With cancer. Kids with cancer. If I could do this gig and didn’t, I’d be hands down a certified dick,” Ballard said, when asked why was getting involved with Camp Quality.

“It’s pretty rare that comedians feel like they’re being useful or constructive in any way, so it’s pretty sweet to know that my dick jokes and self-righteous ramblings are, in some small way, going to help such a great cause.”

Ballard said he and his immediate family were lucky to not have been affected by cancer, but it was still impossible to ignore.

“I think it’s almost impossible to be an adult and not have had cancer touch your life in some way,” he said.

“At least five kids’ parents were diagnosed when I was in high school.

“It really is everywhere.”

The Star Observer also asked Ballard what he, as a comedian, thought of the expression “laughter is the best medicine”.

“I wish I earned as much money as doctors do. But I don’t. And yes, laughter is great, but you know what’s good medicine? Medicine. Medicine administered by trained professionals,” he said.

“Healthy doses of both those things is probably the way to go.”

Camp Quality’s ‘Just Joking’ comedy night is on Wednesday, June 25 from 8pm, at the Sydney Comedy Store. Tickets are $30 with all proceeds going to Camp Quality, helping create a better life for every child living with cancer in Australia. Book here