A KIDDERMINSTER business has fundraised to enable 24 Kemp Hospice patients visit Severn Valley Railway.

Lens-Online, an optical goods company based on the Vale Industrial Estate, held a fun day with inflatable games, birds of prey and a football match in support of the charity’s annual trip.

Kevin Murrall, operations director at the firm, said: “Everyone from Lens-Online was involved and everything was organised within six weeks from start to finish.

“We were all delighted with the end result and we are now looking forward to exceeding this year’s fundraising efforts for Kemp Hospice at next year’s event.”

The fun day, which also included live music from Bomba Rock, was planned by Lens-Online’s workforce of 130 staff.

Sue Harrison, head of care at Kemp Hospice, said: “We are very grateful to everyone from Lens-Online for funding this year’s trip.

“Although it is a reasonably short journey it is one which our often very fatigued patients can enjoy very much as there is minimal walking involved.

“The train carriages accommodate wheelchairs for those who need them and patients from the local area enjoy reminiscing and chatting as we go from station to station.”

Kemp Hospice provides clinical, emotional and spiritual care with practical support to those in Wyre Forest with life-limiting illnesses. It also supports those that have been bereaved.

The hospice needs to raise £940,000 annually to continue to provide these services, the majority of which comes from voluntary donations and the support of the local community.