Prince George, B.C. – A group of comedians are hoping the gift of laughter will help benefit the victims of last week’s devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray.

The ‘Fort McMurray Comedy Benefit Show’ will take place this Saturday night at UNBC’s Canfor Theatre and will include eight local comics plus well known Canadian jokester Simon King out of Vancouver.

“He was booked actually to perform in Fort McMurray this coming Saturday,” says organizer/humourist Mike McGuire. “So he’s got an opening and so I contacted him, got the locals together and decided to put a benefit on for Fort McMurray.”

He says those who come out for the all-ages show will be in for a treat.

“It’s going to be something else. Simon, make sure you have your ears turned to fast. He is rapid-fire, he’s intelligent, he sees the twists in humour and he’s one of my favourites for sure.”

But he does caution the show will include mature language and subject matter.

“Bring your mature kids. It’s an all-ages show but we make it very clear that Simon is a very forceful speaker and he will drop that odd f-bomb and so will I.”

McGuire says the devastating images prompted him to act.

“You know you think about Fort McMurray and Prince George and how easy it could happen here and what would the people of Fort McMurray do if it happened to Prince George? They’d do exactly what we’re doing, what everybody in Prince George is doing, not just us.”

He says the suggested minimum donation is $10 with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross.

Tickets are available at Books & Company, Studio 2880, Grizzly Auto Repair and at the door.

The show starts at 7 p.m.