One of Teesside’s favourite sons has taken Zoe’s Place to his heart.
Comedian Roy 'Chubby' Brown has been given his first guided tour of the Normanby baby hospice ahead of a fundraising night he is helping to organise.
And having seen the place for himself, he’s even more determined that the night will bring in thousands of pounds.
The event, at Eston Labour Club on April 28, is already a sell-out.
It will see Chubby, fellow Teesside comic Mick Monroe, Keith 'The Voice' Hammersley and Chubby’s band, The New Retros, all taking part.
BBC Tees presenter Paul “Goffy” Gough will be hosting.
Chubby admitted he can be inundated with requests to support good causes, and it can be difficult to decide which ones to help.
But after his look around, he said Zoe’s Place had “gone right to the top.”
He said: “The good thing is I can help - and I will help”.
And he’s putting his money where his notorious mouth is by pledging £1,000, as well as arranging the entertainment for the Eston club night.
During his tour of the hospice, Chubby - who turns 70 next month - was clearly taken with, and at times moved by, the staff, children and facilities, listening intently as community fundraiser Rachel Willmore told him what Zoe’s Place does, and how it needs £1.2m a year to stay open.
Kneeling next to children Amber Smith and Charlie Wilkinson, he said: “They steal your heart, don’t they?”
He was also shown inside the Zoe’s Place chapel - the building is a former convent - as well as the hi-tech multi-sensory light room, funded by £25,000 from TV Secret Millionaire David “DJ” Jamily.
And all those flashing lights gave Chubby an idea.
Ian McIntyre/The Gazette 
Roy 'Chubby' Brown looks over the sensory room with Keith Hammersley and comic Mick Monroe
He said: “I could do with a room like this for my act - I’m sick of doing 10 minutes when the fridge lights come on.”
But while a joke was never far away during his tour of the hospice, the dad-of-seven, who also has grandchildren and great grandchildren, couldn’t have been more serious about his determination to help.
“You’ve got to man up when you see places like this," he said. "And I’m full of admiration for the staff, who do such a great job.
“But it’s great it gets a lot of local support.
"People in this area have always had a reputation of being a bit rough and down to earth, but their hearts are in the right place.”
And Chubby’s sure April 28 will prove a great night, with raffles and auctions helping boost the takings.
“The wife’s bra is going up for sale," he said. "Someone might need a tent.”
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