Guildford People Turnout To Support ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’

Published on: 29 Sep, 2012
Updated on: 2 Oct, 2012

Cllr Julia McShane, event organiser Shirley West and Cllr Fiona White at the “World’s Biggest Coffee Morning” in Park Barn

‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ events were well supported across Guildford this morning organised to raised funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.
In Park Barn Community Centre The Mayor, Cllr Jenny Jordan joined around 100 local residents to raise £765 pounds. As well as coffee and cakes and a sale of work, there was a raffle with a whole range of prizes.

In addition to the Mayor, two local councillors attended the event. Cllr Julia McShane who represents Westborough Ward at Guildford Borough Council and SCC councillor for West Guildford, Fiona White. Cllr McShane said: “It’s a fantastic Park Barn community event in support of a wonderful charity,” and Cllr White: “Shirley West and her team have, as ever, put so much hard work into fundraising for this important charity. I am delighted to see such a good turnout.”

Event organiser Shirley West reminded all present that each person probably knows, in their close circle of friends, relatives and acquaintances, as many as eight who have been affected by cancer and it was really important to support the wonderful work done by the MacMillan Cancer Support. She thanked the community of Park Barn for the tremendous support they had shown.

Julie Webb a representative from the Guildford group of the Macmillan charity said: “I am amazed at the turnout. Everyone is being so generous whether it is by donating prizes or buying raffle tickets. It is a pleasure for me to represent the charity here. Every penny raised will provide vital support.

“In the Citizen’s Advice Bureau we now have facilities to help those with cancer financially, medically, emotionally and practically. This is the objective of the whole charity.” The charity supported almost five million people in 2011.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Pauline Searle, enjoys a cup of coffee with Bar des Arts customer Andrew Walker from Guildford and Georgina Burks, a Bar des Arts team member.

Back in the town centre another event at Bar des Arts was attended by the Deputy Mayor, Pauline Searle.Visitors to the bar located opposite the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Millbrook, were able to enjoy tea, coffee and cake to help raise money for charity.

Sara Burks, Co-owner of Bar des Arts, said: “The coffee morning was a real success. We are still counting the amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support and also for the Deputy Mayor’s charity of choice, The Mayor of Guildford’s Local Distress Fund.

“We are thrilled to have participated in this nationwide event and to play our part in supporting the Macmillan. Lots of people attended the coffee morning at the bar in order to raise money for this excellent cause. Proceeds from the sales of our coffee, tea and cake during the morning will be donated to the charity.”

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s flagship event. Last year (2011), 51,000 people signed up to the coffee morning, raising a record £10million for the charity. This year Macmillan is hoping to raise even more money.

To find out more about Bar des Arts, please call 01483 453227, or visit www.bardesarts.co.uk

Steve Cotney, Shopping Centre Manager, Lionel the Lion, and Jennifer Fletcher

White Lion Walk treated locals, travelling into the centre of Guildford via Artington Park and Ride, to free Starbucks coffee and Millie’s cookies all with the aim or raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support through their World’s Biggest Coffee Morning campaign.

A Spokesperson said: “Macmillan nurses help thousands of people every year in our region who live with cancer and the people of Guildford were incredibly generous when donating for their coffee and cookies which resulted in over £310 being raised throughout the morning.”

From 7.30am, there was a constant stream of commuters using the Park and Ride and thanks to White Lion Walk’s centre management team and their cheeky mascot Lionel the Lion, around two hundred cups of coffee were drunk and two hundred and fifty yummy cookies were consumed.

Centre Manager of White Lion Walk, Steve Cotney, commented: “I would like to say a big thank you to all of those who donated money at our coffee morning. I am delighted with the response every year and am proud that White Lion Walk is able to support such a worthwhile cause.”