A NOVEL initiative aimed at raising money for the Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre has proved a smash hit raising more than £12,500.

During Wear Yellow Week many town schools paid a donation to swap their uniforms for yellow clothes and the Primrose's four shops, including one in High Street, were decorated to get people in the mood.

The Finstall-based centre organised a host of events to raise cash including a Ladies' Ascot Day, which raised more than £6,000, and a family entertainment show at Redditch's Palace Theatre.

One of the week's main fundraising events was a Midsummer Bash held in a marquee at the St Godwald's Road hospice on Friday, June 22.

The event raised more than £1,500 and during the evening cheques amounting to almost £4,000 were presented to the centre.

Hospice fundraising manager Jane Wardman said: "It's been a fantastic week and we are delighted so many people took part.

Challenging time

"We are very grateful to the many volunteers and supporters who have helped us and worked really hard to make this week a success.

"It's been a challenging time but we have had some fun along the way and, at the end of the day, wear yellow week will have made a difference to our patients and those who care for them either at home or at the centre."

l All the fun of Ascot -- see page 15.