KEEPING up with Kemp Hospice's day-to-day costs has added importance with all eyes currently on the building appeal, according to the campaign manager.

John Fletcher said fundraising to meet running expenses was critical if the dream of the new £2.2 million purpose-built centre is to be realised.

And Val Beeston, who has devoted time and energy to fundraising for a decade, has had her contribution recognised this week with a bottle of champagne.

As chairman of the New Friends of Kemp Hospice, Miss Beeston co-ordinates money-spinning ideas that net the charity up to £2,000 a year towards running costs.

"We do various things, such as coffee mornings, and on November 21 we're putting on a ploughman's lunch at St Mary's Church in Kidderminster," she said.

Miss Beeston, 68, of Kidderminster's Tennyson Way, added: "I joined the original Friends of Kemp Hospice 10 or 11 years ago after I saw a notice in the Shuttle saying it needed helpers.

"I wanted to do something to help the local community."

For details of the November lunch, phone 01562 856105.