COUNTRY and western music lovers in Kidderminster have helped boost the £125,000 Scanner Appeal coffers.

Monthly music events, organised by the Kidderminster Ex-Service Association, have been in perfect tune for the Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends’ appeal,raising £100f or the cause.

The Wyre Valley Country Music Club nights are held on the first Friday of every month at St George’s Social Club, in Radford Avenue and organisers said they were thrilled to have donated to the Shuttle-backed appeal.

Tony Hinton, chairman of the association– a social group for ex-servicemen and women – said: “We just felt that we would like to show our appreciation and give a little bit to the appeal.

“It’s a community appeal – that’s why we have donated. It’s our thoughts and feelings for our hospital and what it’s going to give back to us as a community.”

He added he hoped the nights, which feature performances from country and western musicians, would raise more money for the cause in thef uture.The next event will be held on July 5.

The group’s generous donation has meant the scanner appeal – to raise £65,000 for software for the hospital’s new CT (computed tomography) scanner and £60,000 for building work carried out to allow the old model to be replaced – has waltzed past the £35,000 mark.

Peter Picken, of the League of Friends, said: “We’re thankful that people are considering the Scanner Appeal for their fundraising activities.”

Fran Oborski, chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, is also supporting the appeal.

People can make a donation by calling the League of Friends on 01562 67653. Alternatively, cheques – made payable to Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends – can be sent to Cadisha Brown, The Shuttle, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2DY.