RICHARD McCourt, better known as ‘Dick’ from children’s TV duo Dick and Dom, has made a surprise appearance to help support a local charity.

The former CBBC star dropped in on Wellington charity Reminiscence Learning’s dance marathon in Oake village hall on Saturday, February 24.

Mr McCourt handed out medals to the around 100 supporters in attendance, who had committed to dancing for 12 hours straight in an effort to raise money for the dementia charity.

Mr McCourt also announced he had been appointed as an ambassador for the organisation, joining Angela Rippon and former BBC journalist Clint Rogers as one of the many high-profile supporters of the nationally recognised charity. Commenting, he said:

“It would have been so wonderful had an organisation like Reminiscence Learning been around when my mum was ill.  They do such tremendous work. And it’s an honour to become an ambassador.”

Fiona Mahoney, Chief Executive of Reminiscence Learning, said: “We are so grateful to Richard and to all the teams that took part. Raising money gets harder every year and events like this are so important to us.”

Although the final tally is still being added up, it is believed the event helped to raise around £3,500 for the charity.

Mr Rogers said the event was the ‘perfect place’ to welcome the new celebrity ambassador, for whom he said the cause was close to his heart after Mr McCourt lost his mother to the illness.”