Josh Duhamel raises $1m for hometown

Los Angeles - Josh Duhamel and the Black Eyed Peas raised $1m for his flood-ravaged hometown.

The actor organised a benefit concert headlined by his wife Fergie's group in Minot, North Dakota, on Saturday to help rebuild the city after severe flooding damaged over 4 000 homes and made 11 000 residents flee their properties.

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon star - who met with flood victims and visited a Red Cross shelter over the Labour Day weekend - was personally affected by the natural disaster as his childhood home and the house where his sister lives with her family were damaged.

A sold-out crowd of 12 000 fans - who each paid $100 for a ticket - attended the Minot Rising show, which was held at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds, and Fergie paid tribute to residents for their bravery in the face of adversity.

Proceeds

On stage she shouted: "This is a beautiful, beautiful vision for us, especially for me because I have family here now (...) It might be small, but it has the biggest heart in America. North Dakota, we love you so much!"

The singer's bandmate will.i.am took to his twitter page to praise Duhamel for organising the event and reveal the sum raised.

He tweeted: "@joshduhamel thank you for you passion, determination, and vision to do good, and ability to bring people together for a good cause (...) Bep had a concert in n dakota & raised 1million dollars for Minot flood recovery (sic)"

Duhamel, 38, also posted a message on the micro-blogging website thanking the Black Eyed Peas for performing.

He tweeted: "A HUGE thank you to @iamwill, @TabBep, @apl_de & #Fergie for their incredible act of kindness for doing #MinotRising. North Dakota loves you. (sic)"

All proceeds raised from the concert will go to flood victims and the rebuilding effort.