Heard the one about the charity joke book?

By Lauren Krotosky - Thursday 4th 2010f March 2010


Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe

Knock knock! Who's there? The 10-year-old mastermind behind a book of gags by famous faces

How do you kill a circus? And what do you call a big white bear with a hole in the middle? (Punchlines later). These are the favourite jokes of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and boxing champion Amir Khan who, along with a host of other celebrities, have contributed their top gags to a new fun-filled book all in the name of charity.

For 10-year-old Amy Jo Brownson, (otherwise known as AJ), asking close to 60 celebrities for their favourite jokes was not such a daunting task. "I sent emails and letters and made phone calls, and asked politely if they wouldn't mind supporting two very worthwhile causes," she says breezily. "I had asked my mum what she thought about me contacting celebrities for some jokes and she said it was a great idea."

With a jam-packed joke book and a couple of charities in mind, AJ set about doing her research and speaking to celebrity managers and agents. "My friends and I love to laugh and I knew that Sport Relief was coming up, so I thought it would be a fun way to raise money and entertain people at the same time. I knew exactly who I wanted to contact, but I was overwhelmed by the response."

The resulting book contains jokes from people including Sarah Ferguson, Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg, Lord Jonathan Sacks, Dr Rowan Williams, Sir Richard Branson, Lord Sebastian Coe, Lenny Henry, Dawn French, Andrew Flintoff, Amir Khan, Gordon Ramsay, X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Gino D'Acampo, Matt Dawson, Phil Tufnell and Kevin Keegan, as well as children's characters Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Basil Brush and Paddington Bear. Oh, and the Queen sent her very best wishes too.

The organisations benefiting from the book's sales are AJ's school, North Cheshire Jewish Primary School in Manchester and Sport Relief, an initiative of Comic Relief.

"I go to North Cheshire School so I wanted to help raise money for it," she explains. "I chose Sport Relief because it is such a well known charity that I had seen lots about on TV. I had seen images of poor children which I couldn't get out of my head, and I knew I wanted to help them."

With an introduction from author Anthony Horowitz and illustrations, graphic design and layout by students at Salford University, the book is exactly what AJ, who lives in Hale, south Manchester, first had in mind. "My family and friends thought I was being very ambitious, but they all wished me good luck and told me to go for it," she remembers.

So who was the friendliest celebrity? "Sarah Ferguson was lovely," she gushes. "She even sent me a present - two gift-wrapped books she has written - Little Red and Tea for Ruby."

As well as all of the celebrity jokes, there's also a host from AJ's school friends. And one of her own jokes made it into the book as well (What did baby corn say to mama corn? Where's pop corn?)

So far, AJ has appeared on BBC North West Tonight and has three book launches coming up in Hale, Didsbury and Bramhall. Former Everton player James Beattie will make an appearance at the Hale book launch, and AJ and her family are hoping to line more celebrities up as well.

No stranger to charity work, AJ also raised Ł2,000 selling teddy bears for Francis House children's hospice in Manchester as part of a school project last summer. While she doesn't have plans for any more charitable projects at the moment, it's definitely something on her agenda. Does she think she might like to work for a charity when she's older? "Maybe, but I'm only ten so I'll have to wait and see!" she giggles. "I am learning lots of good things by doing this though."

Oh, I almost forgot about those punchlines. Go for the juggler and a Polo bear!

Laugh Your Socks Off is available to buy from www.laughyoursocksoff.net, priced Ł5. All proceeds from the sales go to charity

The joke's on Jew! Our top ten...

1. Short summary of every Jewish holiday: "They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat."

2. What did the waiter ask the group of dining Jewish mothers? "Is ANYTHING all right?"

3. Where does a Jewish husband hide money from his wife? Under the vacuum cleaner.

4. Jewish Telegram: "Begin worrying. Details to follow."

5. If a doctor carries a black bag and a plumber carries a toolbox, what does a mohel carry? A Bris-kit!

6. What do you call steaks ordered by 10 Jews? Filet minyan.

7. Have you seen the newest Jewish-American Princess horror movie?
It's called Debbie Does Dishes.

8. Why do Jewish mothers make great parole officers?
They never let anyone finish a sentence.

9. What's the difference between a Rottweiler and a Jewish mother?
Eventually, the Rottweiler lets go.

10. How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb?
(Sigh) Don't bother, I'll sit in the dark, I don't want to be a nuisance to anybody.

What's your favourite Jewish joke? Email it to us at laurenk@thejngroup.com