A REPRESENTATIVE of a Kidderminster-based housing group rubbed shoulders with a television personality to promote a major fund-raising initiative.

Rosemary Stanier, of Wyre Forest Community Housing, teamed up with Nick Owen, presenter of BBC Midlands Today, as Macmillan Cancer Support's campaign to recruit hosts for September's World's Biggest Coffee Morning was launched.

Staff and tenants of the community housing organisation last year raised £2,450 for the cause. Four extra Macmillan clinical nurse specialists have been provided for Wyre Forest during the past three years as a result of the annual fund-raiser which, this year, takes place on Friday, September 29.

Jon Rayner, Macmillan fund-raising manager for Worcestershire, said: "The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is a simple yet really effective way of getting involved in fund-raising to help people affected by cancer.

"People register to host their own coffee morning and then invite their friends over and have a great time while raising much needed funds."

Anyone interested in hosting one of the coffee mornings this year can contact Mr Rayner on 01527 892540 or e-mail

worcestershire@macmillan.org.uk for more information.