IT costs more than £500,000 a year to run Kemp Hospice - and the vast majority of that comes from the generous people of Wyre Forest.

About 15 per cent comes from the NHS, but the lion's share comes from fund-raising events, legacies, general donations and gifts.

Kemp's charity shops also donate their profits to the running costs of the hospice, but again that is community support because much of what is sold is donated by local people and all of what is bought is paid for by local shoppers.

There are collecting boxes all around the district for small change and people from all walks of life take it upon themselves to organise fund-raising events.

A small team manage Kemp's fund-raising department, with Chris Onions in charge of fund-raising and campaign manager John Fletcher overseeing capital appeal money.

Mr Onions joined Kemp in April and the trustees and management are looking to develop this aspect of the hospice's work to boost the monthly challenge of funding the services.

The team organises fund-raising events like the recent garden fair at Bodenham Arboretum and works to raise awareness to win corporate donations.

They also promote the giving of legacies, seek out income from trust funds, develop the number of committed donors and supporters and look at statutory funding.

Fund-raising events in the pipeline at the hospice include a pig roast, a quiz night and a Christmas mince pie and mulled wine get-together.