Time for a brew

Inmates, staff and members of the public are expected to take part in a fundraising coffee morning at HMP Askham Grange, Askham Richard, for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The event takes place on September 27 along with thousands of similar events across the UK including a coffee morning in a golf bunker, which is being organised by a group of young players at Malton and North Golf Club.

These unusual venues have been put forward as part of a competition run by the York branch of Macmillan Cancer Relief where prizes will be given for the most unusual coffee morning site.

This will be the first time the open prison has taken part in the national event and it was the cancer experiences of some of the 120 inmates that encouraged them to take part.

Carole Carter, civil instructional officer at the prison, said that the women in the prison were used to raising money for charity and taking part in community events.

She said: "It's an open prison and many of our women go out and do a lot of work in the community as well as doing educational courses.

"Everybody is going to pitch in together to do the coffee morning.

"We have had one or two women here with breast cancer and somebody asked if we could take part. All the women are going to be involved, with staff and members of the community.

"People think prisoners go around with stripy shirts, but they will be pleasantly surprised if they visit the prison."

The coffee morning takes place between 10am and noon with all funds going to Macmillan Cancer Relief. The youngsters taking part in the golf bunker event are part of a scheme to encourage young girls to take up the sport.

York appeal manager Alex Elmsley said: "Coffee mornings are taking place in some of the strangest places, but we are keen to hear about more.

"If anyone wants any information about Macmillan or they want to register a coffee morning they can contact me on 01904 756402."

Updated: 12:05 Friday, September 13, 2002