WOLLASTON Free Church is to host a tuneful event to raise the roof and £2,000 for charity.

More than 350 guests are expected to attend the concert - starring The Kidderminster Male Voice Choir and organised by Bewdley Rotary Club to raise awareness of the polio virus.

Although much of the world is free of the disease, four countries continue to fight it, and as a voluntary organisation Rotary aims to generate financial and technical support for the eradication of polio.

After receiving a $355 million grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary clubs across the globe are now committed to raising more than half of this sum by 2012.

Rev Peter Williams, from Wollaston Free Church, said: “I have a great concern about polio in the world, and we are more than happy to help out in any way we can.

“The End Polio Now campaign is a cause very close to me because my friend of 15 years, who works for Bewdley Rotary Club, suffers with the virus; and I thought this would be a perfect and entertaining way of lending a helping hand.”

Foundation officer, Dave Drackley, aged 66, who has lived with the polio virus since he was seven, said: “We need to stamp out this problem in the areas of the world still affected.

“I am over the moon about this fundraising event, and every penny will help Rotary International and the Bewdley fundraising scheme.

“We are very grateful to Peter for all of his help and for everything he has done for us.”

The event will be held on Friday May 7, at 7.30 pm, at Wollaston Free Church, on Somerset Drive.

Tickets are £7.50, and are available from Books Unlimited, Lower High Street, Stourbridge, or from the church on 01384 375228.