AN Oldswinford psychology teacher has charity fundraising in mind with a book promoting positive perception of spiders.

Dr Jane McGee, from Old Swinford Hospital School, has published her first story, called The Spider That Came in From the Cold, to raise cash for the baby son of Captain Rupert Bowers, a soldier and former OSH student who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012.

The story, which is available to download from the web for 39p, was inspired by a visit to an arachnophobia workshop at Dudley Zoo.

Dr McGee said: "I attended the event with a group of students from OSH and we discovered that most people develop a fear of spiders from how these eight legged creatures are portrayed in films, stories and the media generally.

“By writing this story for five to seven year olds, I hope it will help children develop a more positive view of spiders and inspire an interest in nature.”

Two charities will benefit from sales of the story, Help for Hugo, a fund set up for Capt Bowers' young son, Hugo.

The story will also support Winston’s Wish, the charity for bereaved children, who have already been providing support for Capt Bowers' widow Vicky and Hugo.

OSH old boys and school friends of Capt Bowers, Royal Marines Eddie Porter and Chris Bramley, are getting on their bikes for Help for Hugo with a 500km charity bike ride from March 19 to 23.

Eddie Porter has just re-learned to walk and ride a bike after he was shot through the pelvis in Afghanistan.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor the personal trust fund for Hugo can contact the school for details, to donate to Winston’s Wish visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/eddieporter The Spider That Came in From The Cold can be downloaded from www.alfiedog.com/products-page/dr-j-e-mcgee