NORTHLEW residents will prove this week that their community spirit spreads much further than the village boundary — in fact, all the way to the other side of the globe.

Matthew Barrett, a former resident of Northlew, emigrated to New Zealand four years ago. Matthew, his partner Lara and their two children Jordan and Genevieve, live in Gisborne on the North Island and recently lost their home and all its contents to fire.

Matthew still has family living in the village, and when the news filtered through that he had lost his home to the blaze, villagers were quick to rally round to see how they could help.

They decided to organise an evening of soup and dessert to raise sufficient funds to try and replace some of the children's toys that were lost in the fire.

Martin Perry from Northlew said: 'As we see it, it is a gesture by the village to help out in any small way we can.

'He has got a roof over his head, but as we understand it, he thought his contents were covered by his insurance policy but they were not.

'It is typical of Northlew, for people to gather around when someone is in trouble or needs help.

'When people found out about the fire, Matthew's old friends and friends of the family wanted to do something, even something small like this to help replace the toys for his children.'

Home-made soup, a bread roll and a dessert costs £5 per person. The event takes place tomorrow (Friday) at Elmfield from 6pm.

To book a place call Tracey Spry on 01409 221835 or Elmfield on 01409 221376.