Newark-area coffee mornings raise thousands for Macmillan

Coffee mornings held by care homes, businesses and a nursery have raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan.

The cancer care charity’s official annual coffee morning fundraiser fell on Friday, September 27, and many fundraisers were held both on the day and on other dates in the week.

Among those was Natalie Evans, who hosted a coffee morning at Hardy’s, Farndon, where she has hosted for six years and raised over £8,000.

This year the fundraiser totalled £1,432, with a donation from Hardy’s still to be added this week.

Natalie said: “The coffee morning went really well, lots of people came to support us through the day and we had many compliments on our cakes.”

Ashiana Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant, North Muskham, raised a huge £595.57 for Macmillan at its coffee morning on Sunday, September 29.

Staff member Sophie Hamilton organised the Macmillan Coffee Morning at the restaurant, which also included a raffle with prizes donated by both Ashiana owner Sai Miah and other businesses such as F. Doncasters and Bean and Vine.

The coffee morning saw many cakes made and brought along, which were enjoyed by those who came and supported the event’s fundraising efforts.

A spokesperson for the restaurant said: “We think it was a great success and look forward to holding more events like this at the Ashiana in the future.”

Edingley Lodge Care Home, which held its coffee morning and bake sale on the Friday, raised a grand total of £130.75.

Jilu Stephen, general manager at Edingley Lodge Care Home, said: “Our Macmillan coffee morning has been a huge amount of fun, everyone at the home is always keen to support this fantastic charity in any way we can. We are very glad to be able to do our bit to raise further awareness for Macmillan and money for the charity.”

Residents spent time with friends, relatives, and members of the community, who all tucked into cakes, biscuits and pastries baked by head chef Marta and home services advisor Kami.

Staff and residents also dressed in green to mark the day.

Beryl, a resident at the home, added: “Macmillan is such a fantastic charity and they do such amazing work in the community, we all love raising money for them and the best bit is, we get to eat cake at the same time.”

Also marking the day was Kings Court Care Home, Middlebeck, where the fundraiser raised £184.

Manager Tarnya Fairburn described the day as a “roaring success”.

As well as residents, friends and family, the coffee morning was attended by firefighters from Newark Fire Station’s Blue Watch — and the youngest attendee was 12-week-old Elliott.

Country Kids Day Nursery, Farndon, held a Coffee Morning on Wednesday, September 25, outside of the nursery, which raised a total of £263 for Macmillan.

Shannon Storey , nursery manager, said: “It was a great morning, raising money for a great charity close to our staff members hearts.”

A further coffee morning is to be held by Newark Town Bowls Club, from 11am to 2pm on Sunday, October 6.