THE well-known phrase "charity begins at home" had a special resonance for Vale man Rob Oakes during a recent visit to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

For the man from Atch Lench who has spent years supporting the Evesham charity, the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust, became the first patient to benefit from a new intravenous pump donated to the Worcester hospital by the trust.

Rob, whose daughter Debbie, aged 27, was Tracy Sollis's best friend and is now secretary of the trust, was receiving a blood transfusion after developing a blood disorder.

The £3,000 pump was the second donated by the trust this year but Sue Sollis, who set up the trust in memory of her daughter, believes another dozen are needed.

And now, in an effort to boost fundraising, the trust is branching out into event organising.

Acoustic and electric guitarist Gordon Giltrap, whose musical styles include folk, rock and blues will be playing at the Fleece Inn in Bretforton in the first such event organised by the Trust.

Founder of the charity Sue Sollis hopes to raise many much money to buy more equipment hospital equipment.

She said: "We founded the charity after my daughter, Tracy died just one month before her 16th birthday after suffering from leukaemia

"We're hoping this event with the charity's patron, Gordon Giltrap, will be the start of many more charity concerts to come."

Tickets for the event which starts at 8pm cost £12 each and are available from the Fleece Inn on 01386 831173 or by calling in to the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia trust shop in Library Arcade, High Street, Evesham.