Mike Lynch has hit on a novel way of fundraising for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance – by showing card tricks in pubs! Within five months he has raised £5,500.

Mike Lynch fundraises for the LNAA. Towards the end of October 2021, he stumbled across a couple of card tricks online and after practising them a few times realised that he had a particular gift for card tricks.  A week later he had taught himself six card tricks and an idea formed in his head. “Why not take his little one-man show around pubs and bars in and around Lincoln and raise money for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance?”

Armed with a collection tin, Mike approached The Royal William IV on the Brayford, Lincoln to ask if they would allow him to perform his card tricks to their patrons.

He recalls, “I remember walking nervously up to the first table and was greeted with the words, “We expect to be impressed…”

Seven days later and Mike’s collection box was full… his tricks were definitely wowing the crowds.

He now visits around 20 pubs and restaurants in Lincoln although he concentrates mainly on four. And his number of tricks has now grown to 18, giving him more choice.

Secret to his success

Mike believes the secret to his success is that he performs simple tricks which encourage a rapport between himself and his audience. “The management at all the pubs are really supportive. They have provided me with the perfect opportunity to raise funds for LNAA.

At one night recently, a visit to the Slug & Lettuce pub to the south of Lincoln was especially successful with Mike coming up trumps and raising a staggering £130 in just two hours.  And his popularity is growing. A young professional magician even approached him, asking to buy the details of one specific trick!  Mike showed it to him for free as he had already made a generous donation to LNAA.

Asked why Mike chose the LNAA to support he explained that he would see the helicopter flying over his house two or three times a week and it would make him think, “this could be going to one of our family or a friend.”

Mike has attended office and Xmas parties raising funds in the past, if you are interested in inviting him to entertain at such an event, please let us know and we can put you in touch to make arrangements.

It is wonderful that Mike is fundraising for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. 2022 is set to become the busiest year on record since the service began in 1994.  In July alone we responded to 159 callouts.

This increase is a stark reminder of the need for the LNAA. And the team knows that without the support of people like Mike, they would not be able to deliver such a dedicated and life-saving service.