This weekend will see several live music events take place across the island, held to raise money to go towards charities that are helping with the crisis in Ukraine.

Tomorrow night (Friday) sees a night held at the Douglas Golf Club, in Pulrose, featuring three singer gong writers.

‘Gig for Ukraine’ has been organised by Joey Wylde, who will be joined by special guests Chris Cole and Victoria Wylde, from 7.30pm, along with various other fund raising events.

Joey said he was moved to organise the charity night after recovering from a bout of illness, and changed the plans of an already-organised gig to help out.

‘The reason for doing this show was I was hit really badly by Covid and wasn’t able to contribute to the collections, as I was still isolating,’ said Joey.

‘Seeing all the footage on TV, I knew I wanted to do something .

‘The gig at the golf club was already booked so I decided that I would donate my gig fee to the refugees for supply’s.

‘Literally a minute later I got a message from the amazing people at Douglas Golf Club saying they want to do something as well.

‘I just hope we can raise a good amount too.

‘After seeing everything in the media and in the news it shows how we can take for granted the little things in life.

‘It’s time to make a difference for those who have lost everything.’

Also taking place tomorrow night will be a full night of events at the Mitre Hotel in Ramsey.

‘Rebel Poets’, organised by Jacqueline Morrey -Grace, will feature a night of poetry, stand-up comedy, rap and story telling, getting underway at 7.30pm, followed by a concert held by Terrence George and the Long Tall Shakies and Sunset Jet at the underground Cooil bar, from 10.30pm.

Taking place on Saturday night will be ‘Music for Ukraine’ at the Working Men’s Institute, in Laxey, from 7.30pm, featuring the Big Wheel Blues Band, The Whiskey Boys, with Marc Tyley and Dickie Best, and folk guitarist Mark Lawrence, plus more to be announced.

Organiser John Barker said that he was moved to organise a fund raiser after seeing the harrowing scenes on the TV news.

‘Like everyone else I have been horrified by what I have seen on the news,’ said John.

‘Especially families saying goodbye to their fathers who are staying to fight and the sick children deprived of the medical care they need.

‘I wanted to do something and all I could think of was that as I am lucky to have access to a great venue and lots of friends who are great musicians is to put on a gig and raise as much money as we possibly can for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal.

‘We have many of the regulars from Blues Club playing sets as well as some more folk and jazz oriented sets with possibly more yet to be added.’

A night of folk music, which took place last week, has already raised money for the crisis in Ukraine.

The Friday Folk night, which took place in the Athol Roms, Peel Centenary Centre last weekend, featuring music from Paul Reynolds, Al Lawrence and an acoustic set from the Ballaghs, raised £175 for the Disasters Emergency Committee charity appeal.