AN Italian restaurant owner is hosting a charity night for Africa.

Mark Sutherland, owner of Bella Roma in Paisley, will host Tenor For A Tenner tomorrow in aid of Starchild.

The event will be the first in Paisley to support the charity, which works to help orphaned children in Uganda.

It was set up by Michaela Foster Marsh in memory of her brother Frankie, who was adopted and was originally from Uganda.

He died in a house fire at the age of 27 and Michaela now wants to help other orphaned children in the country by building a school and improving education.

Mr Sutherland, who was a friend of Michaela's in school, said: "Michaela is an old friend from years ago and I knew her brother.

"He was such a lovely chap, he was one of these people whom you would never forget about if you met him.

"As soon as I found out Michaela was involved I was really happy to help out. All my staff are also giving all their time free.

"We are hoping it is one of many things we can do to try and raise money here because Paisley is such a generous place. "

Visitors to the restaurant will be welcomed with a glass of prosecco, followed by a selection of Italian food platters.

A tenor will be singing opera and there will also be Mediterranean guitar music.

Mark hopes the event will be the start of a long relationship between Paisley and the charity, and aims to raise enough money to build a classroom for children in Uganda and name it after the town.

Michaela said: " Mark has been so enthusiastic and I am grateful for all his support.

"He is somebody who knew Frankie and it has just snowballed since he found out I was running the charity.

"He thinks Paisley would be really interested in the whole project.

"The opera singer and the guitarist have come on board too and it is just great for us.

"At the moment we have got about 70 places for the event, which for the size of restaurant is great."

Tickets for the event on Sunday, September 14, £10, are available from Bella Roma on 0141 887 3141.

hannah.rodger@ eveningtimes.co.uk