Thousands of pounds have been raised for the family of a County Durham dad killed fighting Russian forces in Ukraine.

Ex-British Army sniper Christopher ‘Pezz’ Perryman, first travelled to Ukraine shortly after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The 38-year-old dad of one served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers including tours of Iraq and Kosovo.

The Northern Echo: Chris Perryman has died fighting Russian forces in Ukraine.Chris Perryman has died fighting Russian forces in Ukraine. (Image: X/PEZZ57)

He was killed on the frontline when he came under fire during an artillery strike at the end of October, the Sun reports. He had reportedly joined a unit made up of Western volunteers like himself.

Paying tribute to him his sister Aimee Statt wrote on social media: “Last night our hearts were shattered, and our world torn apart. We lost Pezz Perryman.

“He died a true hero, fighting a war that was never his to fight. I don't think we as a family will ever get over this.

“He went to Ukraine to help others and it cost him his life. A soldier through and through born and bred. May you sleep well my brother.”

The Northern Echo: Chris with his dog Ice.Chris with his dog Ice. (Image: X/PEZZ57)

The Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in Ukraine and advised Brits against travelling to the war-torn country to fight.

Well-wishers have donated more than £18,000 to a fundraiser in his memory. The funds will go towards funeral costs and his 11-year-old son’s future.

Perryman grew up in Newcastle and served for 16 years before working as a security guard on the HS2 line when he quit his job and travelled to Ukraine.

In an interview with the Spectator magazine in April, he said: “A mate told me that Ukraine’s President was asking for foreign military veterans to help. I’ve never liked bullies and Putin is a bully, so off I went.”

The Northern Echo: It is reporter Chris came under fire in a position behind the front lines.It is reporter Chris came under fire in a position behind the front lines. (Image: X/PEZZ57)

Speaking to the i newspaper last year Chris explained how he was part of a unit of foreign volunteers fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.

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He told the newspaper he felt “sick to the pit of [his] stomach]” seeing Russian forces deliberately targeting civilians.

After being injured last year and returning to the UK to recover he soon went back to Ukraine.

He had a close shave just months earlier when a house he was he was shelled by Russian forces. He woke covered in rubble with his kit shredded by shrapnel.