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Comedy show supporting Wheelin' Warriors of the North

The wheels turn in the head of any comedian and they turn under the efforts of the Wheelin' Warriors of the North. This collection of local road-riders raises money for their annual pedal through the highways of the province.
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Local comedian Mike McGuire will be headlining a show on Thursday to support the Wheelin' Warriors of the North.

The wheels turn in the head of any comedian and they turn under the efforts of the Wheelin' Warriors of the North.

This collection of local road-riders raises money for their annual pedal through the highways of the province. The route this year is from Cloverdale to Hope, overnighting in Chilliwack. All proceeds go to cancer causes.

For the second year in a row, veteran standup comedian Mike McGuire will lead a night of jokes and alms, entertainment and philanthropy at his Wheely Funny Fundraiser 2 event.

"I'll tell you what I want, what I wheely wheely want," said McGuire. "We're hoping for a sellout and we're hoping people bring their wallets and their motivation to help this amazing crew of riders."

It was cancer survivor Lisa Hoek who first inspired McGuire to put his performance talents into this charitable cause. Hoek became a rider in the annual bike event, teaming up with Bruce Siddall, Jill Carter and Dean Rolufs to fundraise as a group. (Many Prince George riders take part in the bike event entitled provincewide The Ride To Conquer Cancer.)

"My comedy friends wanted to help, too. I've had no problem getting other comics to make a night of it," said McGuire.

He'll headline with well-known fellow comedian Alex Mackenzie acting as the emcee, with another local joke-star Jon White in support and openers Darren Gess and Cody Malbeuf also adding their talents.

"I am actually writing some new stuff for this show," McGuire said. "I got to a place where I can walk out on a stage and roll out a solid 45 minutes of funny material, but it's been the same stuff for awhile. I'm going to roll out some new bits, so come out and have a great laugh at some funny new jokes or have a great laugh at the comedian bombing. Either way, you win."

As the event rolls on from year to year, it has been easier to get the help of sponsors and people to buy tickets, he said. He is so personally inspired by the cancer-fighter spirit among the Wheelin' Warriors of the North that he knows others in the community will also step up with him to make this one hilarious night a special fundraiser.

He's even thinking of putting in some personal miles this year himself.

"These riders go like 250 kilometres," he said. "And you know what's crazier? I am stupid enough to think I can perform my gig at the Okanagan Comedy Festival, which is on at the same time, and drive to meet up with them, and join in on the ride. I'm looking into how I can get my bike ready for something like that. And it goes from Cloverdale to Hope, which is kind of fitting, eh? Hope."

The Wheely Funny Fundraiser happens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Theatre Northwest. Tickets are $25 available at Books & Company or online at the Theatre Northwest website.