Ricky Martin launches collection drive

Puerto Rican pop hunk Ricky Martin has launched a collection drive to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The She Bangs singer launched the initiative via his own charitable foundation, Banco Popular and the Salvation Army to help those affected by the storm, which left America's Gulf Coast devastated last month.

On Friday and Thursday, Banco Popular branches became collection centres for diapers, clothes and educational toys, to be distributed by the Salvation Army torelief centres in areas affected by the hurricane.

Martin went to Houston, Texas, last week to visit the venues where displaced and injured residents were accommodated, and he walked away wanting to do more.

He says in a statement: "Being in Houston allowed us to join in solidarity with the youngest survivors. I talked to them, listened to their stories and understood their fears."

Martin's also launching the Life for the Katrina Children Relief Fund, with some seed money from Banco Popular, to help organisations give aid to children who survive emergency situations, reports MTV News.