A CRUISE ship juggler from West Parley, near Ringwood was so moved by the plight of refugees he is hosting a variety show in aid of the British Red Cross this weekend.

Pete Matthews decided to gather his entertainer friends together after seeing images of young children hiking 100 miles to reach safety.

And although tickets for The Big Big Variety Show's evening performance have sold out, some still remain for the 2pm matinee on Sunday.

Pete, 41, who lives with wife Claire and children Annie, 10, and Milo, seven, has spent the past 20 years performing on cruise ships around the world alongside stars such as Dame Shirley Bassey.

He said: “Two weeks ago while on the Disney Magic Cruise ship I was face-timing my daughter Annie about her first day back at school and the news was on in the background showing images of the refugees hiking 100 miles to the safety of Austria. Some of those hiking were the same age as my children and it hit home how desperate their plight is.

“I started thinking about what I could do to help and just like that, The Big Big Variety Show 3 was born. I started with a Facebook status - “Right then. I’m going to do a fundraiser for the refugees. Who’s in?” - and within ten minutes I had the sound and lights and crew offered for free by Callum Hooker at Southern Entertainment Services. Ten minutes later the Allendale Centre in Wimborne offered its facilities, also for free, and within an hour I had more than 15 acts pledging their support.

"In the next 24 hours I had a poster up online and now the evening show’s sold out and we’ve had to put on a matinee to meet the demand.”

In total, 18 acts will take to the stage to raise funds for the charity, including magician Jamie Allan, West End stars Jacqui Scott and Lindsay Hamilton, comedians Jeff Stevenson, Phil Butler, Paul Adams and Hilary O'Neil and Pavarotti tribute act Paul Michael.

Sarah Washington, community fundraiser at the Red Cross in Dorset, said: “The amount of effort Pete’s put into organising this show in such a short timeframe is incredible and we’d like to say a huge thanks to him and all the acts and other supporters who have stepped forward to take part and make it happen.

“Red Cross volunteers across Europe are working around the clock to support hundreds of thousands of refugees as they attempt to reach safety. From Turkey to Hungary, Greece to the UK – the Red Cross is striving to support people who flee war and persecution and the money raised from this show will help to fund that vital work.”

The show will take place at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne in aid of the British Red Cross Europe Refugee Crisis Appeal.

Tickets are priced at £10.

For more information, visit theallendale.org or call 01202 887 247. Family entertainment starts at 1pm.