THE Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre is using word power to help its supporters raise as much vitally-needed cash as possible.

The Primrose is an independent charity, offering advice and support to cancer patients and their families in Redditch, Studley, Wythall, Bromsgrove and Rubery as well as some surrounding areas.

It has just launched a new "A-Z of Fundraising", which lists interesting and fun ways people can raise money for their local hospice and also provides tips on the legal and marketing sides of fundraising.

Ideas include daredevil activities such as abseiling and parachuting, traditional events like quiz nights and karaoke evenings and fun ideas such as cream cracker eating contests and leg waxing for men.

The hospice has to raise more than £400,000 this year and relies heavily on people holding fundraising events to help.

One person who has recently raised money in an unusual way is John Hart, who completed 150 holes of golf over two days and raised £4,500.

The money will be split equally between Primrose at the Princess - the palliative care unit at Bromsgrove's Princess of Wales Hospital, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

A charity spokesman said: "You really don't have to do something as strenuous as this, there's lots of more relaxed things people can do."

For a copy of the A-Z of Fund-raising, call 875444.

The Primrose Choir and Alcester Victoria Silver Band present The Primrose Proms at the Spadesbourne Suite, Bromsgrove on Saturday, October 1.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8.75 from 875444, 67383 or 546158.