Edinburgh takes part in The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
Macmillan Cancer Support is holding ‘The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ tomorrow, with hundreds of people across Edinburgh expected to take part.
Last year there were 400 Macmillan coffee mornings across the capital, raising £65,000 and it is hoped that more is raised this year to add to the UK-wide total which was £8m in 2010.
The premise for the event is simple: host or attend a coffee morning and donate the proceeds to the cancer charity. Macmillan is known for providing medical, emotional, practical and financial support for those affected by the disease.
One of the hosts this year is MP for Edinburgh East Sheila Gilmore. She has already baked treats for her Friday coffee morning, which will be held at her office at 84 Niddrie Mains Road, Craigmillar, between 10am and 1pm. Local residents, office workers and members of the community will join her for a hot drink and slice of cake to raise funds, along with her colleague Kezia Dugdale MSP. A raffle of Marks and Spencer vouchers will also be held.
While baking yesterday in preparation, Ms Gilmore said:- “My carrot cake and scones should go down a treat. If you’re free come along for a coffee and a slice of it for just £2.”
“A member of my staff has lost two family members to cancer. I know just how valuable the care and support given by Macmillan nurses means to those suffering from cancer and their families, whether they provide one to one care, or provide benefits advice.”
It is possibly a wee bit late to set up an event, so Edinburgh residents are encouraged to search for their local public coffee morning.
Edinburgh Central MSP, Marco Biagi is also getting involved (although we are not sure he is doing his own baking!)
The politician is taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning tomorrow and he wants the people of Edinburgh to get involved.
The MSP for Edinburgh Central, said:- “I know a considerable number of constituents have personal experience of the problems a cancer diagnosis can bring to both patients and their family, and I know that Macmillan has been there to support many of those in need.
“That’s why I am will be hosting/attending a coffee morning in my constituency office, 77 Buccleuch Street on 30th September 2011 and I would like to invite all of my constituents to drop in.”
“However I would also urge all of you to consider holding your own coffee morning, or coffee evening. It’s an easy and fun way to raise money for Macmillan, and every penny you raise will help people with cancer.”
The event started in 1990, when a local fundraising committee decided to hold a coffee morning where people came along to meet and mingle – as they might ordinarily do – but donate the cost of their coffee to Macmillan in the process.
The idea seemed such a simple, yet effective one that they suggested the model be taken up on a national scale. The first National World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was in 1991, when 2,600 people registered to hold coffee mornings across the country. Since then it has raised over £60 million in total for Macmillan Cancer Support.
