A PARALYMPIC athlete and a former RAF Pilot will be guests of honour at a Worcestershire business event to raise funds for two local charities.

Wheelchair middle-distance racer Mel Nicholls is a guest speaker at the Worcestershire Ambassadors -Time to Change Lunch, which will be held later this year.

Mel, who was a finalist at the London 2012 games and a World Championship silver medallist, has linked up with the Worcestershire Ambassadors who are hosting the event on September 26 at Hogarth’s Stone Manor near Kidderminster.

The lunch will also feature former RAF pilot and 1991 Gulf War prisoner of war, John Peters, who was taken captive as a prisoner of war in 1991 when his Tornado aircraft was shot down over Iraq.

The event will raise funds for the Worcester Community Trust and St Paul’s Hostel.

Kevin Powell, chair of the Worcestershire Ambassadors said: “We are focusing our efforts this year on raising awareness of mental health issues and supporting two fantastic charities which are linked to the issue.

“Our event in September is the chance for people to come along, network and have the rare opportunity to hear from two inspirational people like Mel and John.

"To have them attending is the icing on the cake and both have overcome so much during their lives.

"We hope as many people as possible will attend.”

The Worcestershire Ambassadors has a network of 250 members who have raised over £750,000 for local charities since it was formed 20 years ago.

The organisation promotes life in the county, helping to encourage inward investment and develop the area’s economic prosperity.

The event takes place only weeks before the Ambassadors showpiece annual black-tie ball which will be held at West Midland Safari Park on October 4.

Tickets for the event, which includes a drinks reception and a three-course meal, are priced at £40 per person.

For more information about the event and the Worcestershire Ambassadors, go to www.worcestershireambassadors.com.