A MEMORIAL is set to be unveiled to the “mascot of Rayleigh” after a fundraising push from residents.

A plaque for John Daines, known affectionately as “laughing John”, will be unveiled outside Star Cafe in Rayleigh High Street next week.

Mr Daines, who died in June 2019, was well known in the area for his distinctive laugh and outgoing personality.

Kevin Hadlow, 52, from Rayleigh, has been one of the residents working to arrange the memorial.

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A fundraiser saw £1,474 collected to cover the plaque and a large donation will be handed to mental health charity Mind.

Mr Hadlow said: “I explored many options for a memorial to John including a large plaque to go on a wall and naming of a walkway in his honour however due to council restrictions none of these ideas came to fruition “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive impact of making things happen, hence the delay in finalising things.

“The unveiling will take place on Wednesday and this is market day in Rayleigh. We chose Wednesday as his funeral was also on market day when so many of Rayleigh’s community came out to give him a good send off.

“I want to thank the people of Rayleigh for their generosity and now we have a fitting memorial for us all to remember him by.”

Mike Wilkinson, Independent councillor for Wheatley, had high praise for the kind residents pushing for the memorial for Mr Daines.

He said: “I am impressed the residents have progressed these plans so far as I know they had been fighting for this and they came up against issues as it is in the town’s conservation area.

“Mr Daines is someone everyone knows and I think this is nice and fitting that’s it’s happening.

“I hope this is welcomed by lots of people in the town and I think people will as lots appreciated his humour. He brightened up your day and that’s how people will remember him.”