Residents of Kirk Michael will this weekend hold an event to raise funds for Australia after fires which have blighted the country for months.

One of the organisers, Hannah Watson, said she and her friends had decided to raise vital funds for Australia.

She added: ’We decided that all money we raise will be split between the rural firefighters, the wildlife collective and the Australian Salvation Army.

’So far the response has been immense. The donations of raffle prizes from local businesses has been quite staggering.

’We will be having a Great Aussie Cake off. The recipe for the Australian classic cake, the Lamington, has been sent out to the event page and also put in shops around the village, they will be judged by our own village Australian. After they have all been judged they will be served to everyone with tea and coffee.

’We will be having Australian-themed face painting, guess the name of the koala, cake stalls, children’s instant raffle and a bottle stall.’

The event is on Saturday from 10am to 1pm in the Kirk Michael’s Ebenezer Hall, opposite the former Isle of Man Bank.