A former fitness instructor will be exercising his vocal chords during a gig later this summer as part of a bid to raise money, and awareness, to help tackle problems suffered by those with mental health issues.

Dominic Uppiah, 30, will be taking to the stage at Caistor Hall Hotel in June as part of an evening of Soul and Motown music in aid of mental health charity Mind.

Mr Uppiah, who started his own singing business in April last year, has been inspired to put on the gig in aid of the charity as he has himself known people who have suffered from stress-related mental health issues.

He said he hoped the concert would not only raise money for a great cause but also give people who attended a warm and happy feeling in what have been difficult times.

He said: 'We're coming through a recession, people have had stress, but summer is coming and we want to feel good. Soul and Motown music is really good. It's got a good, happy vibe and a real summer feel to it.'

But Mr Uppiah, who lives at Magdalen Street, Norwich, and ran the London Marathon in aid of Mind in 2007, said the feel-good gig will also have a serious side to it too.

He said: 'Mind is a charity that supports and helps people with mental health problems. Statistics show that one in four people will suffer with some form of mental health related issue in their life-time. I'm doing it to raise awareness of how important mental health is and how important it is to have a healthy mental health lifestyle.'

The gig, which takes place at the Caistor St Edmund venue on Sunday, June 12, between 4pm and 11pm, will also include arrival drinks, garden games and a barbecue.

Mr Uppiah will be joined by Dove and Boweevil, a soul and blues act, and The Stilhouettes, an eight-piece soul, jazz and Motown band. There will also be a DJ. Tickets are �20, including charitable donation, and can be booked in advance on 01508 494998.

Are you doing something amazing for charity? Contact Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk