A KARAOKE night will help fund the purchase of supplies for Ukraine — and an Isle of Wight man is going out to the country to help distribute them.

Nigel Watson has a van full of supplies such as baby and women's products, medical supplies and sleeping bags.

He is self-funding his trip to Moldova and is prepared to cross the border into Ukraine if he is permitted, to help distribute the goods and purchase more while he is there.

Nigel said: "After Sue Bell very kindly promoted my collection day last Saturday at Sandown Methodist Church car park, on the big electronic board outside Aldi in Lake, my van is now full.

"Raising money is now the main priority. All money raised will be used to buy supplies out there. I've taken time off as a self-employed carpenter and hope to stay out there for a while volunteering as a driver or something.

"I've two different contacts there, belonging to two different charities. One of them is involved in rescuing abandoned dogs and bringing them out of the war-torn areas.

"I'm going on an open-ended trip and hope to stay to help to maybe bring refugees out of Ukraine, or dogs. It's a 'learn on the job' when there."

The fundraising karaoke event is on Friday, April 22, at the Wight Bay Hotel in Beachfield Road, Sandown, from 8pm.

It will feature Paul and Frankie's Karaoke, dancing and a raffle.