A TEENAGER who is following in her family's footsteps in the International Order of Foresters' movement brought cheer to young patients.

Rachel Forbes, 19, of Kylemilne Way, Stourport, organised entertainment for the children's ward at Cheltenham General Hospital where she is on secondment as part of her midwifery course at Bristol University.

It formed part of her youth leadership scheme with the IOF, a fraternal benefit society with more than 80,000 members nationwide.

She organised a visit from a local theatre who put on a puppet show and handed out Easter eggs to the children.

Last August Rachel attended the IOF's youth leadership conference in Calgary, Canada - where the organisation is based.

The IOF certainly runs in the family.

Rachel's brother Andrew was a young forester of the year award winner while younger sister Michelle, 16, was a member of the Foresters' county quiz team which has just won a national trophy.

Their parents Andrew and Julie are also both members of the organisation.

The trend though began with Rachel's grandparents Bob, who was a former chairman of the Wyre Forest branch, and Dorothy, also an officer and member of the regional committee.

Rachel said:"The youth leadership scheme is all about improving communication and leadership skills and I was required to organise a project to help the community.

" I was working at the hospital anyway and decided to do something to cheer up the children. I grew up with the foresters and enjoy their events."