A CANCER charity is busy brewing support in Oxfordshire for a fundraising coffee morning.

The Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning celebrates its 20th birthday this year and, to mark the occasion, the Oxford Mail is giving away coffee morning goodies.

The event, which will be held on Friday, September 24, is a major money-spinner for the charity, and last year raised almost £90,000 in Oxfordshire alone, with 421 coffee mornings.

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by the disease by offering practical, emotional and financial support and the charity employs 38 health and social care professionals across the county.

Oxfordshire fundraising manager Julian Knowles said the charity wants to make the 20th anniversary of the coffee morning the biggest event yet, and has appealed for Oxfordshire people to host their own coffee mornings.

He said: “Put a smile on your mug, get together with friends families and colleague on Friday, September 24, and raise some money for people in Oxfordshire affected by cancer.

“Holding a coffee morning is a piece of cake. Help us make this year the best yet by raising more than £8m across the country.”

The charity has encouraged people to host their own coffee morning by inviting friends around, hosting a garden party, or even a pub quiz with colleagues.

Donations for coffee and cakes will then be collected and handed to the charity, or if you organise a pub quiz, charge participants a small fee for taking part.

Marks & Spencer has teamed up with the charity this year and the cafe in Summertown is among the outlets which will be donating 10 per cent of the value of a selection of sandwiches and sweet treats to the charity.

Then, on September 24, 50p from every coffee sold will go directly to the cause.

Summertown cafe manager Nikki Tinson said the staff were looking forward to helping a great cause.

She said: “We support a lot of charities through the company, but Macmillan is a really worthy cause. Hopefully lots of people will come to the cafe and help us raise a lot of money for the charity.”

Mr Knowles said: “Phone to register for a fundraising pack or go online.

“And if you can’t host your own, support one in your locality or grab a coffee at a Marks & Spencer near you,” he added.

For the chance to win Witney bakers’ Fabulous Bakin’ Boys cakes and a set of mugs and a host of other fun coffee morning goodies for your workplace register through the Oxford Mail website, by clicking on the Macmillan Coffee Morning logo.

As soon as you register your name, you will be added to the weekly prize draw.

To register go to oxfordmail.co.uk now. Or to register for your own coffee morning pack go to macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 602 1246