LOCAL entertainer and dad of two, Pete Matthews was moved to organise a variety show in aid of the British Red Cross Refugee Appeal, after seeing images of refugees on television.

The Big Big Variety Show runs twice on October 25 at 2pm and 7pm and features over 17 live acts, a seven-piece band and a silent auction, all under the roof of the Allendale Centre in Wimborne.

Pete, 41, who lives at West Parley and primarily works on cruise ships coming in and out of Southampton, said: “It hit home how desperate their plight is.

"I asked myself what I could do to help. And ‘Big Big 3’ was born.”

He has previously held two charity shows at Bournemouth Pier theatre where over £6,500 was raised for the Neo Natal clinic at Poole Hospital.

Within 10 minutes of announcing his plans on Facebook, Callum Hooker of Southern Entertainment Services offered a sound and lighting crew, and 10 minutes later, the Allendale Centre responded to offer its facilities.

Acts include Lindsay Hamilton, who will fly over from Germany to perform, and Surrey-based comedian Jon Courtenay, who said: “I’m proud to be a part of it. The fact we’ve got 17 of us together is fantastic.

"We travel far afield for work and have seen affected countries firsthand.

"All of us jumped at the chance.”

For more information please contact 01202 887247 or visit Allendale.org.