A Twickenham pianist is tickling the ivories all over the country as he seeks to raise money and awareness for Iraqi Christians.

Carl Bahoshy, 30, has raised more than £33,000 from 71 piano and organ recitals at churches, schools and cathedrals with at least 22 more concerts to follow.

And it is a cause close to his heart with both parents being Iraqi Catholics who settled in south-west London in the 1960s.

Mr Bahoshy said: “I love playing both the piano and organ and feel privileged to have the opportunity to hare this gift not only to bring others joy but also to raise awareness for what is a modern day catastrophe.

“I hope that this initiative will continue to raise awareness of the horrific reality many families have unwillingly found themselves in and bring increasing exposure to the excellent work the charity does.

“I hope to take every opportunity presented to play and raise funds.”

Since the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq, the Christian population has been reduced to virtual extinction - in 2003, there were 1.4m Christians in the Middle Eastern country.

A large majority of those who survived attacks on their homes and churches by extremist groups have sought refuse in either Erbil, in the north, or neighbouring nations such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Money raised by Mr Bahoshy, organist at St Elizabeth of Portugal Church in Richmond, is being spent on providing those in need with medical aid and shelter, mainly in the form of family caravans.

There are about 120,000 displaced Christian refugees scattered across camps and abandoned buildings in Erbil.

Mr Bahoshy is carrying out his work for charity Iraqi Christians in Need.

To find out more about the campaign or to find out about the concerts, visit icin.org.uk.