A WORCESTER cancer charity is launching a new fund to enable families and friends to remember their lost loved ones.

Named after the person who has died, the Forget-Me-Not tribute fund will give relatives, friends, neighbours and colleagues a focus for making their own individual contribution to St Richard's Hospice.

Tricia Cavell, who is a fund-raiser at St Richard's, said anyone can set up a fund whether the person they are remembering has been a patient or received any services from St Richards or not.

"Initially the fund may hold in memoriam gifts," she said.

"It may be that after this much appreciated gift to St Richard's, family and friends wish to continue to support the hospice work in memory of their loved one," she said.

Once a fund is set up, anyone can contribute to it in a variety of ways - some people choose to give single donations or monthly gifts by standing order, while others like to contribute through their payroll or raise funds by organising their own events.

Some prefer to take part in sponsored events such as walks, bike rides or skydiving.

Mrs Cavell added: "You may wish to commemorate your loved one by making donations on special anniversaries such as birthdays or Christmas. Friends and family can make their own gesture of remembrance in whatever way feels right. You may also wish to consider setting up a special memory web page at www.justgiving.com/st richards/memory"

Mrs Cavell herself has set up a Forget-Me-Not fund in memory of her sister Janette who died from cancer at the age of 45. She said: "I gave gifts to St Richard's in her memory and continue to give a monthly donation by standing order.

"I and members of my family and many of Janette's friends and colleagues have taken on challenges, held fund-raising events in her memory, joined runs and walks - sometimes taking on things we had been meaning to do for some time.

"I also dedicate a light to Janette each year through the hospice annual Lights of Love campaign. Whilst flowers fade, our donations to St Richard's are an enduring memorial to Janette and it's good to feel we can impact on lives of local people in her memory."

To set up a fund call St Richard's fund-raising team on 01905 763963.