Fringe stars help charity raise a smile

A STRING of Fringe stars have given their backing to HIV and Hepatitis C charity Waverley Care.

Paul Merton, Sandi Toksvig and Tim Vine filmed video messages of support for the city charity as it celebrated its 21st year working with the Pleasance Theatre Trust to raise funds.

First Minister Alex Salmond also sent his greetings in a written message which appears alongside all of the films at the charity’s campaign website www.laffoffstigma.com.

Grant Sugden, director of Waverley Care, said: “We are hugely grateful to everyone who has participated in the campaign. Stigma has a major impact on the everyday lives of many of our service users and, as an organisation, we want to do all we can to challenge it.”