James Acaster hosts raffle at hometown fundraiser

James Acaster hosted a costume competition and raffle at the Johnny's Happy Place summer fete on Sunday

Comedian James Acaster hosted a raffle for a mental health cafe in his hometown.

The comic, from Kettering, also helped run a costume competition at a summer fete put on by Johnny's Happy Place.

The cafe, on Rockingham Road, which is open on weekends, offers free sessions with trained counsellors and art therapy.

It was founded after the death of Johnny Mackay in October 2014.

Mr Mackay struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and undiagnosed mental health problems for a number of years before he took his own life, aged 29.

In summer 2015, Johnny's Happy Place opened as a community interest company run by a board, which includes members of his family.

Organisers said about 1,000 people attended Sunday's event, raising about £3,000 for the community cafe

James Acaster and Johnny both attended St Andrew's Primary School in Kettering and the comic offered "fond memories" of Mr Mackay.

Johnny's Happy Place thanked everyone who contributed to making the event a success and reserved special appreciation for Mr Acaster, for "taking time out of his busy schedule" to help host the event.

"My, did he make us all laugh," a spokesperson said.

Mr Acaster previously hosted one of its first ever fundraising events nine years ago.

The cafe added that almost 1,000 people attended Sunday's event, which generated a "wonderful" £3,000.