A MASSIVE brew-up saw the pounds – as well as the coffee – pouring in as kind-hearted people in and around Basingstoke took part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Last Friday’s fantastic fundraiser saw schools, shops, businesses, friends and family all getting involved to raise thousands of pounds for a good cause.

This is the 20th year that Macmillan Cancer Support has staged the event and a national fundraising target of £8million has been set for the milestone anniversary.

In north Hampshire alone, charity chiefs hope to raise £193,000 and Abby Stevens, fundraising manager for the Basingstoke area, said they are right on target.

She added: “We obviously want to say a huge thanks to people who baked cakes, brewed coffee, got together and opened up their homes.

“We are looking like we are going to come in bang on target – the indications are really good.

“Statistics show that one in three of us is likely to get cancer and events like these show that there is a real affinity for Macmillan and the work that we do.

“Macmillan cannot do the great work it does at places like Basingstoke hospital without the support of the public, so we are extremely grateful.”

At St John’s Church, in London Road, Hook, the task of staging the annual brew-up was passed to a new member.

Moira Montgomery has staged the event for the last 12 years, raising £5,350 in the process. But now she has handed the baton to Shirley Clancy, who organised her first coffee morning last week and hopes to do so for many years to come.

She told The Gazette: “I hope I can keep up the good work. Every family knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support is a cause that is close to so many hearts.” Shirley’s inaugural event raised £250.

Staff at LK Bennett, in Festival Place, Basingstoke, put on a coffee morning for customers and raised £70.

Sales consultant Sarah Chenery, who organised the event, had previously worked for Macmillan as a student and said she was delighted to be taking part.

“It is great to be part of. All LK Bennett stores across the country are getting involved and we hope to raise as much money for Macmillan as we can.”