Published: Sunday, 5th October, 2008 16:00
Coffee-ing up for charity day
By Jonathan Kelly
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Cakes offering: Giles McLoughlin in the Barclays top, left, with organisers at the coffee morning in South Ascot.
VOLUNTEERS brewed their way to cash at coffee mornings to raise money for a worthwhile cause.
Macmillan Cancer Research held its annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday last week and many coffee shops, churches and community centres held events in support.
Bracknell Forest Mayor Cllr Bob Edger took the opportunity to attend two
coffee mornings, the first at Edgbarrow Sports Centre and the second at Bracknell Leisure Centre raising £395 between the two.
Visitors were invited to bake cakes for a competition to be judged by Cllr Edger which were then cut up and sold to raise money.
Mayor Cllr Bob Edger said: “It’s obvious that a lot of people who suffer wouldn’t get far or get through the dire consequences of the illness without Macmillan nurses. Every pound that is given can only help these nurses do the work they do.
“I judged lots of cake competitions and ate lots of cake. I particularly liked the chilli and chocolate cake at Bracknell Leisure Centre. It was something straight out of the Vicar of Dibley, but actually tasted rather good.”
The winning treat at Bracknell was an apple cake baked by Mrs Muir. The winning bakers at Edgbarrow were Zoe Offen and Michael Blackburn with their chocolate cake.
All Souls’ Church in South Ascot did its bit to raise funds for the cancer charity. As well as coffee and cakes, around 70 people perused stalls including bric-a-brac, handmade cards and plants.
Organiser Giles McLoughlin said: “The morning went really well and lots of local people came together for a chat.
“We raised around £625 altogether which Barclays, as part of their charity and community work, will match pound for pound so the total will be £1,250.”
Sejwix Delicatessen in Charles Square, Bracknell, raised more than £200. Not only was coffee on offer, but mini pastries were sold for 50p and a raffle had prizes donated by Laithwaites Wine Merchants. Delicatessen owner Neil Ellis said: “It went well. We raised £204, which I thought was great because I had wanted to raise over £200.
“We’ll definitely be doing this again, because we try to do it each year as it is a personal charity for both my wife and I.”
Other events were held at St Paul’s Church in Harmans Water, the Great Hollands Bowls Club, St Margaret Clitherow School, Ashridge Manor Garden Centre in Wokingham and Newbold School in Binfield.
Janet Severn, organiser of the coffee morning at The Bradbury Community Centre, next to the Rose Street Methodist Church in Wokingham said: “It was absolutely wonderful. We raised £200 which is the largest amount we have ever raised. I’m just delighted. We had coffee, teas, cakes, scones and toasted tea cakes on offer. A big thank you to everyone who came.”
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