A BEREAVED family which had first hand experience of the good work of St Richard's Hospice has organised a music festival in their music-loving dad's memory.

Luke Simons said his late father John, who spent his last few days at the hospice in Wildwood Drive in 2013, was a fan of live music and would have loved to have come along to Woo Fest.

Bands including The Woo Town Hillbillies, Killerstream and Skewwhiff will perform at the one-day festival taking place at The Drum and Monkey, near Upton-upon-Severn, on Saturday, July 4.

Mr Simons, from Northwick, Worcester, said: "Without a doubt my dad would have loved it - but he would have expected a free ticket!

"He loved music and used to go to live gigs at the Marr's Bar.

"During his last few days at St Richard's HospiceI we were blaring out his favourite music.

"He liked a mixture of music but mainly blues and rock but he would often turn up to the house with a modern band's CD asking if I had checked them out."

It has taken two months to organise the whole event and Mr Simons has even battled through a second bout of pneumonia while organising the day.

The 37-year-old said: "I've been amazed at how many people have been more than happy to help out.

"Last year we organised the Source to Sauce challenge travelling along the River Severn and found we raised more money at the party at the Old Rec afterwards than in donations beforehand.

"We've been really lucky because through friends and people we know we have managed to get a venue with camping, music systems and have been approaching bands and getting them signed up.

"We found out how willing people are to help last year but it's been even more so this year - it's been relatively easy which just shows how people are willing to help."

All of the money raised will be going to St Richard's Hospice which supported Mr Simons' late father and the family.

John Simons, an engineer, was a keen football and cricket player before his illness and death last year aged 66.

As well as bands playing at Woo Fest, there will be a children's play area with bush crafts and Frozen photo shoot as well as a hog roast and barbecue.

"It is going to be a great festival at a brilliant venue with a beautiful view of the Malvern Hills.

"We hope to raise about £8,000 for St Richard's because they looked after my dad extremely well and after seeing how great it was we want to raise as much as we can."

Tickets cost £15 in advance before July 1 and are £20 on the day with under 14s admitted free with a responsible adult.

Camping is pre book only and costs £7.50 per person and under 14s free with up to two children per adult.

For more tickets log on to strichards.org.uk/Event/woofest and for more information log on to facebook.com/woofest2015