WHEN Debbie Adams lost her sister, Helen, to cancer in August she was determined not to let her memory die.

"Helen was brave and dignified, she was full of energy and inspiration to everyone," Debbie said.

"She would listen to the problems of others but never once did I hear her moan about her own illness."

During her nine-year battle against cancer Helen, aged 43, from Malvern had regular courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Debbie said it was awful to see her suffering.

On Saturday, February 18, Debbie has organised an evening of fun and entertainment at Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind.

She is hoping to draw a crowd of 170 to enjoy a 'posh picnic' in the company of the Buttered Muffin Theatre Company.

"People who come along are guaranteed to be entertained," Debbie said.

Helen's husband, Steve, and 11-year-old daughter Becky, who is a pupil at Madresfield Primary School, near Malvern, hope people will support the event in aid of Cancer Research UK and St Michael's Hospice.

The Buttered Muffin Theatre Company is made up of performers from the north of England who combine magic, music, mayhem, mirth and merriment.

There will be a show for children in the afternoon from 2pm to 3.30pm and the group's 'live and unhinged' picnic gets underway at 7pm. "The children's show is something of a first, and it promises to be an excellent afternoon," Debbie said.

"People coming along in the evening can bring their own picnic, and we are encouraging them to be as extravagant as they like."

Debbie, a former chairwoman of Broadland's School PTA, is used to organising.

She met the Buttered Muffin Theatre Company in August last year, just after her sister had died.

They were providing street entertainment at Llandrindod Wells Festival and offered their services free of charge.

"I want to raise a bit of money to help the hospice help more people like my sister."

Tickets for the shows are available on 01432 376890.