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SO GRATEFUL: Pete and Claire Matthews with Annie and Milo

COMEDY juggler Pete Matthews is saying a big "thank you" to the people who saved his baby son's life by staging The Big, Big, Variety Show at the Pier Theatre in September.

The one-off fundraising event was prompted by the work and dedication of staff at Poole Hospital's Neo Natal Unit who looked after his premature son Milo.

Born five weeks early, weighing 5lb 10oz, just two days before Christmas last year, Milo suffered a collapsed lung and spent ten days being cared for by the NICU.

Pete, who also has a two-year-old daughter, Annie, with wife Claire, and who lives at West Parley, said: "I felt overwhelmed and humbled by the care and expertise of these truly wonderful individuals: I wanted to give them everything I owned."

After considering what he could do to show them his appreciation he decided to put on a show.

He contacted professional entertainers, technicians and friends made over the last 20 years in showbusiness who were all delighted to help by offering their services for free.

"To say I was blown away by the response would be an understatement," said Pete.

Even Pier Theatre manager Ian Goode - for whom Pete had worked early in his career when Ian managed the Manchester Hotel, gave him a hugely discounted rate on the Pier Theatre where the show will be held on September 12.

Claire's father Trevor kick-started the fundraising by asking that donations be made to the charity rather than people buy him presents for his 60th birthday earlier this year.

The variety show line up will of course include Pete, who has worked on top cruise ships for the last 13 years, including the inaugural cruise of the QM2 alongside Dame Shirley Bassey. He has also worked in summer shows from Blackpool to Weymouth with artists like Paul O'Grady and Joe Pasquale, and on TV on shows like Barrymore, You Bet! and Noel's House Party.

Other acts appearing at the Pier include Marc Paul, mind reader, who appeared on The Parkinson Show; comedian Paul Adams, who opened for Stevie Wonder at the Royal Albert Hall; Sam Veale, juggler who did the advert effortless' for Brilcream last year; Dan the Hat, hat juggler; singers Susanne Campbell, Rachel Mills and Stephen Lee-Garden, who won New Faces in 1998; comedian Jeff Stevenson, whose numerous TV shows include playing the comedian at Rodney Trotter's stag do on Only Fools and Horses!, and popular impressionist Tony Rudd.

There will be musical backing with the Churcher's College jazz Club.

7:00pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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