MORE than 300 people turned out at a pub to hear an Islington father who was born in Ukraine talk about the horrors facing his family in Kyiv, writes Tom Burgess.

Igor Zyskind, 39, had been expected to deliver a speech to just 30 people at the Tufnell Park Tavern in Tufnell Park Road for an event organised by a group raising money for Unicef’s response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war.

“I have never delivered a speech to so many people and I must admit I was a bit nervous. The topic is very close to me so it was difficult not to be too emotional,” he said.

“I have a cousin that lives just outside Kyiv and she has spent days in the basement. She has moved her bed down there but she refuses to leave the city.

“I have hundreds of friends in Ukraine scattered across the country.”

Organiser Nicki Longfoot said it was an attempt to “support communities like ours in Ukraine”. She set up the event with friends Dixie Linder, Rachel Kinnock and Tessa Wire.

“We had a really strong sense that people in our community wanted to do something to help, and to reach out together,” she said. “So we contacted Joanna at the Tufnell Park Tavern and within hours she was on board and we had a date – and an incredibly generous offer from the pub to donate the full price of every pizza sold on the night.”

Before the fundraiser nearly £7,500 had been raised through JustGiving but by the end of Mr Zyskind’s speech donations were up to £15,000. This has now risen to £33,648.

Mr Zyskind added: “I am so grateful for all who are supporting Ukraine, financially and in any other way. Donating to Unicef is a great way of supporting people in Ukraine.”

To donate to Unicef go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tufnell-park