Friends, neighbours and colleagues threw themselves into the spirit of giving across York, North and East Yorkshire yesterday for The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

The annual event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support was well supported by shops, cafés and other organisations, who sold refreshments and ran other money-raising events.

Both local businesses and nationwide chains made the effort to boost funds for Macmillan, one of the UK’s biggest cancer charities.

Alison Outhwaite, service development administrator at Macmillan, visited numerous locations in the centre of York which were hosting events and said she was impressed by the turnout and the number of people who had made cakes to be sold to raise funds.

She said Vanilla Café, in College Street, had attracted strong support to its coffee morning, while Kenzi, a womenswear boutique in Goodramgate, had also been busy.

Alison said: “A few years ago people might not have known about the coffee mornings, but our campaigns have spread the word very effectively. I think it’s been a success. It’s our biggest one yet.”

Elsewhere around York and the region people were finding innovative ways to raise money for Macmillan.

Elly Fiorentini, from BBC Radio York, was the special guest judge at Skipton Building Society as they hosted a special bake-off competition. Boots, in Coney Street, held a coffee morning while also giving away beauty prizes in a raffle.

The Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital held its event with what was described as a huge tombola, as well as plenty of cake, while cakes and a “‘soup kitchen” at The Press offices in Walmgate raised £120 for Macmillan.

Renew Therapies, at Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate, held a coffee afternoon and donated to Macmillan a percentage of the money spent on their products and therapies during the event.

Tiffany’s Caffe Bar in High Street, Harrogate, is running a family-focused event all weekend with raffles, cupcake sales and face-painting for children.

Transdev organised a Big Bus Bake Sale in Knaresborough and visited various locations throughout the day.

Needlecase, in Tadcaster, offered workshops alongside the cake and coffee at its event.

The Vintage Corner, Pocklington, raffled prizes including a week’s holiday at a Lake District cottage.

House B, in Melbourne Street, York, asked guests to guess how many coffee beans were in a jar, and offered a donation juke box.

Visitors to the Steam and Moorland Garden Centre in Pickering were encouraged to guess the name of a teddy bear.

An event at the Old School, in Wigginton, encouraged well-wishers to guess the weight of a cake, alongside raffles and tombolas.

Phoenix Trading’s event, in Dalton, near Thirsk, saw a ten per cent donation given to Macmillan for all orders placed on the day.

York Mosque, in Bull Lane, opened its doors and invited the local community in for its coffee morning.

An event at Ulleskelf village hall was held in memory of Peggy Varey and Sallyann Brown, with cakes, coffee and a toddlers’ play area.

See Green, at Clifton Moor, York, invited friends, partners and clients to drop in.

The Raylor Centre, off James Street, York, ran a tombola alongside a coffee morning, with prizes.

St Paul’s School, in St Paul’s Terrace, Holgate, provided a wide selection of colourful cakes alongside the coffee at its event.

The Travel and Tourism team at York College hosted a coffee morning in the Ashfields on-site training restaurant.

There was a coffee morning event at the University of York, hosted by the music department.

 

• A kind, patient and dedicated teacher has been remembered at a special event held by the primary school children she taught.

Amanda Tredgold, a much-loved teacher at Acomb Primary School, died in the summer at the age of 49.

In her memory, each year group at the school baked cakes and biscuits and yesterday held a Macmillan coffee afternoon.

All proceeds will go towards the Macmillan nurses who supported Amanda during her illness.

Headteacher Lee Haynes said: “Amanda taught in key stage one and key stage two, which meant she taught most children in the school during her time here. She led the maths curriculum and was co-ordinator for able, gifted and talented children. She represented the teaching staff on the governing body and was acting deputy headteacher for a year.

“Amanda passed the NPQH qualification and was aiming to become a headteacher.

“She was a highly-motivated member of the teaching team and was a great support to her colleagues who could always rely on her to assist them.

“Amanda will be remembered as a kind, patient and dedicated teacher who cared deeply for each child in her care. Everyone at Acomb Primary School misses her greatly.”

Amanda, who lived in Bishopthorpe with her husband Steve and teenage son James, had worked at the school since 2003, became ill with cancer last year.

Yesterday’s packed event was attended by Amanda’s husband who said his wife loved working in Acomb and very much enjoyed teaching.

“There are not enough tables for all the people,” Steve said. “It is a really lovely event which is perfect for the situation.”