Get the kettle on for a good cause (From Ledbury Reporter)

Get the kettle on for a good cause

10:10am Monday 24th September 2012 in News

THE kettle will be brewing in kitchens in and around Ledbury for the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Thousands of people are expected to meet up and enjoy a hot drink and a sweet treat while raising money for the cancer care and support charity.

Among the people who make the event such a success is Juliet Kearsey, of Colwall, the county’s youngest coffee morning host at just 13. Having raised £300 last year the John Masefield High School pupil is once again hosting an event for her family and friends on Friday, September 28.

Proud mum Rita said: “She’s organised it all herself. It’s a very good cause. I think that’s why people give so generously.

Everybody is very supportive.”

At the other end of the age scale, 91-year-old Dorothy Tow is the area’s oldest host.

Mrs Tow, from Ledbury, has raised about £2,400 over the last six years and is hosting her seventh event at her sheltered accommodation in Harling Court, New Street, from 10amnoon with a bring and buy sale, cake stalls and a raffle.

“I think it’s a good thing to do,” she said. “It’s something people enjoy and they come along to and have a cup of coffee and a chat.”

Over in Malvern, stalwart Macmillan supporter Irene Bevan remains fully committed to the cause even at the grand old age of 90.

She has single-handedly raised more than £1,000 for the charity over the last decade by making jam and baking tasty treats for the Macmillan events.

This year is no exception, with Mrs Bevan spending her every spare moment in the kitchen ahead of the coffee morning taking place at her home, Crellin House, in Priory Road, at 10.30am on Monday.

Eileen Caffull, house manager at the privately-owned sheltered accommodation, said: “She is just amazing. She bakes all year round and does an awful lot for the catholic church as well as the coffee mornings.”

Hilary Al Rasheed, area fundraising manager for Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “It is fantastic to see so many coffee morning being hosted this year.

“Whether it be with friends and neighbours or colleagues at work, hopefully we’ll all take five minutes in our day to stop for coffee, and show our support and care for those whose lives are affected by cancer.”

It is not too late to register a coffee morning. For details visit macmillan.org.uk/maketime or call 08450 701317.

A list of local events is also available at macmillan.org.uk.

OTHER COFFEE MORNINGS

MONDAY

􀁥 Crellin House, Priory Road, Malvern. 10.30am.

FRIDAY

􀁥 Churchill Retirement Living, Malvern. Elgar Lodge from 10.30am-12.30pm.

􀁥 Lansdowne Methodist Church, Malvern. Cake and produce stalls from 10am-noon.

􀁥 Malvern World Travel. 11am- 4pm.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29:

􀁥 The Fountain Stores, Court Road, Malvern. Family fun day.