COMEDIAN Adam Hills spontaneously raised £605 to help a Dorset charity for people with learning disabilities.

The kind-hearted comic surprised and delighted the charity by grabbing a home-made collection bucket from backstage and urging the audience to donate during the first night of his new Clown Heart Tour.

Members of Dorset People First’s Friendship Club, including Echo columnists Adam Kelly and William Parmiter, had travelled to Yeovil on Monday night to see the funny man, who’s projects include TV show the Last Leg.

Everyone was treated to a hilarious evening with highlights including the moment most of the audience got involved in a conga line of back rubs and Adam and his friend Craig’s finale song and dance number.

Laura Kerr from Dorset People First emailed the star to see if the Friendship Club could arrange a meet up after the show.

But everyone was surprised and delighted when Adam went back stage, grabbed a collection bucket and said he would be collecting for Dorset People First that evening.

Generous audience members dug deep and donated £605.26 for the club. Adam signed autographs and had pictures taken with fans and then at the end handed the bucket over to the club.

He then spent time having a chat to the club members, taking selfies and chatting about the work the club does in Dorset. Echo writer Adam Kelly even presented Adam with a copy of the Echo, so that he could read Adam and William’s ‘Our View’ column.

Adam Hills said: “I decided when I did this show rather than selling stuff afterwards, we actually raise more money going out with a bucket. When I got an email saying these guys wanted to meet up, I thought, that’s the charity.”

Adam said he was aware of the work of the charity, adding: “They are exactly the type of people I want to raise money for.”

Laura from Dorset People First said they were incredibly grateful to Adam. She said: “What’s really touching was it was such a spontaneous thing to do.” She added: “What a nice guy. What a great show and a great night out for our members.”

Club members said they had great fun. Chris Harvey said: “Everyone laughed so much they were crying.” Richard Larder added: “It was very good – very funny.”

Echo columnist William Parmiter added: “It was excellent.”

Fellow columnist Adam Kelly said Adam’s generosity and the kind donations from the public were ‘overwhelming.’ He said it was ‘really important’ for the charity. He added: “We’d like to say thank you on behalf of everyone that’s not here and can’t be here, because every little bit makes a big difference. It’s really kind.”

You can read Adam and William’s column every Tuesday in the Echo. Or simply click his link.