HIS alter ego is a controversial comedian who has audiences up and down the country in stitches with his rude and crude humour.

But Roy 'Chubby' Brown, who real name is Royston Vasey, was lost for words at Zoe’s Place which he said has gone straight to the top of his fundraising list after an emotional visit to the baby hospice.

Despite thinking at first that it was the name of a transport cafe serving tasty bacon sandwiches, he was definitely left with food for thought.

The renowned comic has helped organise a sold-out gig in aid of the charity based in Normanby near Middlesbrough, which will be compered by BBC Tees presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough and feature local comedian Mick Monroe and singer Keith Hammersley.

The four colourful personalities learnt more about the invaluable work on a tour of the former convent which can look after day and night for up to six children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses aged under-six at cost £1.2m each year.

They met two toddlers and their expert nurses and carers before being shown around the chapel decorated with teddy bears where christenings and nativity service’s are held as well as family accommodation and a cold room with a cot for when a child dies.

Rachael Willmore, community fundraiser, said that it had helped 100 families since it opened its doors 11 years ago through which they have weathered the recession and a devastating flood.

“There is a huge demand for our services, a lot of people have said we have been like a lifeline. A lot have said they don’t know what they’ll do when they leave Zoe’s Place. We would love to offer more beds but sadly that’s not possible.

“It’s very important that we stay open, when one family leaves it means that we can offer respite to another family.”

Mr Vasey, who is a father of seven and has four grandchildren and a two great-grandchildren, is donating £1,000 towards proceeds from the charity night at Eston Labour Club on April 28 and is paying for the acts which also include his tour support band, the New Retros.

Dressed in a black jacket and a baseball cap covering his mop of grey curls, he peppered the hour-long visit with quips including: “My wife would think it was dandruff”, on the sparkly carpet in the sensory room which was paid for by a £25,000 donation by a Channel Four ‘Secret Millionaire’, and “I’ve been around since Captain Cook was a sea cadet”.

But without the armour of his zany trademark stage garb - flying goggles and a patchwork jacket – he was clearly moved by the experience.

“This place has gone straight to the top of my fundraising tree. It has left me with a real lump in my throat, it has been humbling," he said.

“Being with the children made me well up. I’m full of admiration for the girls who look after them,” said the 69-year-old from Grangetown who lives near Northallerton and is travelling the country on his ‘Don’t Get Fit Get Fat’ tour.

“It must be difficult to go back to their own lives. It cannot be easy to let go, it’s like caring for your own baby.

He added: “Young people today can be so selfish, I would bring them to Zoe’s Place so they can see how lucky them are. I think we are all entitled to a life.”