Getting together for coffee to aid cancer charity (From York Press)

Getting together for coffee to aid cancer charity

7:58am Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

WHEN a practice nurse moved into a new area and wanted to get to know her neighbours, she started a ten-year fundraising marathon for charity.

Helen Gardner, of Clifton Moor , York, invited those living nearby into her house for coffee and cakes as part of the World Biggest Coffee Morning, organised yearly by Macmillan Cancer Support.

She enjoyed herself so much, she decided to hold another coffee morning the following year, and the next and the next for ten years.

She is among scores of supporters who will be putting the kettle on tomorrow to take part in this year’s World Biggest Coffee Morning.

“It’s the ideal opportunity to catch up and raise money for charity,” she said.

“Plus, it’s easy to take part, just put the kettle on and make a few cakes.”

York’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning intern Sally Backhouse said: “We are very grateful to Helen for all her fantastic support over the years. I hope she inspires other people from York to take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning this year.

“Being part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is a piece of cake.

“It’s a great way to get together with your loved ones and make time for what really matters.

“You can sign up to host a coffee morning, you can go to a public event, or if you’re not free on the day, you can make a donation online. We also have lots of fun ideas to help make your event a real success whether it’s at home, work or at school. Every pound raised helps us be there for someone with cancer when they need us most.”

Coffee mornings can be held for the charity on days other than September 28. This year, Helen is holding hers in Meadow View, Huby, on September 15 from 10.30am to 12.30pm and is looking for raffle prizes to help her raise more money. She can be contacted at helengardner@tiscali.co.uk 

To find out more about the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning visit macmillan.org.uk/coffee or phone 0845 602 1246.

• Rosie Schatzberger has supported the event for about six years in her Skelton home, and will again be baking continental cakes for September 28. She is inviting people to come along, and to also get involved in a bring and buy sale for the cause.

She said: “It is usually a village get together.

“Last year we raised over £500. It was extremely good.”

The event will be from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Lodge, The Village, behind the church in Skelton.