The connection between a musician who regularly performs in a Sandwich pub and local charity Martha Trust has inspired the owner to host a fundraiser.

Ian Linstead, who has run the Hop and Huffkin in New Street for almost two years, has pledged to support the charity, which cares for people with profound disabilities in Deal and Hastings, for the whole of 2016.

He said the pub continued to be approached with charity requests prompting them to pledge their allegiance to just one cause for the year.

“The connection for us here is Tom Abrahams,” he said.

“He was one of the first musicians we had when we opened and he plays here every month. His sister, Charlotte, lives at Martha Trust.”

The former PE and business studies teacher added: “Because of Tom we hopped along to Martha Trust and agreed to support it.

“We’d like this fundraiser to be one of two events we’ll hold throughout the year. We thought it should be music-related because of Tom.”

Music4Martha at the Hop and Huffkin will be from Thursday, May 12 from 7pm.

The night will see Mr Abrahams, a gypsy jazz guitarist, link up with his friends jazz singer Abigail Cardwell, flamenco dancer Anna Harman and soul singer Nathan Allon to provide a night of entertainment.

Tickets cost £30 and include a drink and a selection of tapas. Guests will need to book tables. Only 50 tickets are available.

Mr Linstead said: “From our point of view it’s just to support a really good local cause.

“We are very focused on supporting the local economy. Around 90% of our food and drink is produced in Kent. We feel it should be about community.”

Staff will also be donating their wages on the night towards the charity.

The venue has already started donating 50p to Martha for every completed colouring sheet, which features on the back of its Huffkin menu for children, that is handed in.

Fundraising and events officer Kerry Rubins said: “We are incredibly grateful to Ian and his staff for choosing to support Martha throughout 2016.

“Martha relies on this kind of support to enable our residents to have more opportunities.

“I will be attending the evening and I’m really looking forward to hearing all the musicians.”

The Fruit Bowl, Page and Sons, Gadds Brewery and Kent PIP cider are suppliers who have already agreed to support the event. If you would like to pledge your support by way of food, drink or a raffle prize or buy tickets, email ian@hopandhuffkin.co.uk, call 01304 448560 or pop in.