TWO poets were lost for words after their work gave a dedicated breast care unit in Worcester a cash boost.

The reading and open mic night headed by Martley poet Jenny Hope, of Martley, and Sarah Leavesley (who writes under the pen name Sarah James), of Droitwich, raised £133 for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

The two poets read from their new collections Petrolhead (Oversteps Books) and Into The Yell (Circaidy Gregory Press), as part of the Worcester Festival event at the Farrier’s Arms in Fish Street, Worcester.

More than a dozen performers, including poets from as far afield as Bath and Staffordshire, joined them for the evening of music and poetry aimed at raising funds and awareness about the campaign to create a £2.5 million unit at on the site of Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Newtown Road, Worcester.

Your Worcester News adopted the campaign shortly before its launch last October.

The cause is one that is close to both poets’ hearts as Ms Hope lost a friend to breast cancer and Mrs Leavesley’s mum was fortunate enough to be given the all-clear after being successfully treated for the illness seven years ago.

Ms Hope, aged 42, a member of the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE), said: “It was an amazing night. We are stunned and delighted that together we raised this sum for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

“We would like to thank everyone who came to read and to everyone who came to listen.

“We’re also very grateful to the Farrier’s Arms for allowing us to stage the evening there and to all those who donated items to the raffle.

“We are now considering making this an annual event.”

Ms Leavesley, 35, Poetry Society stanza representative for Worcester and Droitwich, said: “It is such a worthy cause. When my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was a big shock for our whole family. Fortunately, she was given the all-clear after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“We have been very touched both by the level of support people have shown to promote this cause and also the moving stories they have shared with us.

“A dedicated breast unit will be such an invaluable facility for Worcester and the many people affected by breast cancer, either directly themselves or their friends and family.”

• Click this link for the downloadable donation form - breastcampaignform.pdf