Comedian Imran Yusuf has proudly been named by the charity GamesAid as its very first patron. GamesAid is a UK based video games charity (Registered UK Charity # 1081706)which supports a number of smaller charities who help disadvantaged and disabled children and young people. As the only fully democratic charity in the games space, members of the games industry propose and vote for the charities of their choice annually. Funds are predominantly used to support children’s charities in the UK, with limited application for overseas causes; for education, health, housing and social welfare.
Imran himself initially wanted to become a video game designer making him rather fitting for the role. He has strong links to the UK Games Industry having worked for Midway Games, Eidos, SEGA Europe and Kuju London . After a stint of helping to create the likes of Red Card Soccer (PS2), Yakuza (PS2), and Battalion Wars 2 (Wii), he left game development for the comedy stage and was voted Best Newcomer at the Ednburgh Fringe Festival 2010. He soon made his debut UK TV appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow doing a routine on Xbox Live and Call of Duty. Truly showing how gaming is further and further entering the mainstream.
“Working in video game development is not for the fainthearted: the hours can be long, and there is huge pressure to hit tight project milestones, but it was a formative experience which informs my comedy to this day.” Imran commented, “I think GamesAid can bring video games and comedy, two of my favourite things, together for a good cause and raise money for those who really need it. Both sectors are brimming with bright, intelligent and creative people whose vocation in life can bring great enjoyment to the lives of others – and we’re lucky to be able to do what we do every day, and should think about giving something back. As GamesAid’s first patron, I hope to help harness those amazing talents in order to rally even more support for the GamesAid charities.”
Imran is famous for the incredible energy he puts into his perfomrances, with them being fast, furious and yet charmingly endearing. He uses stinging, lyrical street slang verbiage making him rather the unique voice on the comedy circuit. His career has grown with a monster UK tour plug gigs in the Middle East and China. He did further charity work last year when he devised and directed a hugely successful fundraiser at London’s Comedy Store for Games Aid.
“This is a first for us at GamesAid,” stated Stuart Dinsey, chairman of GamesAid. “Imran’s been extremely proactive in staying in touch with the UK games sector as his career has gone from strength to strength, and we’re hoping that his influence can encourage even more grass root support within the sector, and help us get the word out to more people.”
Imran’s first project as patron will be to organise the second annual Stand Up for GamesAid at London’s Comedy Store, the date is slated as Monday April 14th and tickets will go on sale soon.
ABOUT GAMESAID
For more information: www.gamesaid.org
Watch this movie: www.gamesaid.org/httpwww-youtube-comwatchvz8lvfz6eisafeatureyoutu-be/
ABOUT IMRAN YUSUF
Imran recently choreographed and hosted the very first Stand Up for GamesAid at the home of British Stand Up Comedy, the world famous Comedy Store. He’s currently preparing material for a new show. For more information: www.imranyusuf.com
