Actor Andy Serkis to Read 'The Hobbit' Live Online for COVID-19 Relief for British Charities

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Any J.R.R. Tolkien fans out there?

Of course, there are - if you remember the Hobbit Holes and unreal greenery of New Zealand fondly, the scary dragon Smaug or the heart-pounding quest to destroy the One Ring.

Well,  it's called 'The Hobbitathon Live' -- all thanks to actor Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the blockbuster 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,' and award-winning 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy movies.

It will be a 12-hour marathon of reading in which Serkis said he will read 'The Hobbit' live online beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday May 8 BST (5 a.m. EST, 2 a.m. PST).

The money raised will be split equally and go towards two British charities, Best Beginnings and NHS Charities Together.

So far, the actor has raised £45,086 of the £100,000 goal, as of Thursday morning PST.

On the GoFundMe page, Serkis wrote "From an unexpected party to the last stage, join Bilbo and me on this tale of high adventure. Together we’ll face the might of the trolls, journey to the magical Rivendell, encounter the giant spiders in the labyrinths of Mirkwood, and the evil goblins living among the roots of the Misty Mountains, until we meet the dragon Smaug, and see the Battle of the Five Armies."

He said there is a certain link to stream the reading, which will be available on the GoFundMe page too: "I will be announcing on this page how to live stream my Adventure so stay tuned and donate. If we hit our target of £100,000, there may be a special surprise later in our journey."

Here's the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/thehobbitathoncovid19appeal

I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written. Join me for a 12-hour armchair marathon reading of “The Hobbit”, in aid of two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need@NHSuk @bestbeginnings #hobbitathon pic.twitter.com/q8qIO3diPT

— Andy Serkis (@andyserkis) May 7, 2020

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