Latte lovers and caffeine fiends united yesterday to raise thousands for charity.
The annual Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning saw more than 700 Oxfordshire groups hold coffee and cake mornings.
They aimed to raise more than £120,000 for the charity, which provides support for people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Among them were staff at the Fleece pub in Witney who were trying to beat the Guinness World Record for the most cappuccinos made in an hour.
Fleece manager Suzie Ayling said: “The record stands at 109 and we managed to make 148.
“Unfortunately we’re not sure we’ll break the record as other pubs around the country are also attempting it.
“But we’ve just counted the money in and we’ve managed to raise £1,144 and are still selling raffle tickets.”
She added: “They say one in three of us will get cancer in our lives so I think it’s something that’s close to everyone’s hearts.
“We feel great about the money we’ve raised.”
Also taking part were staff and customers at Oxford Castle – Unlocked, The Fishes at North Hinksey, and staff at Bonmarche in Cowley.
Store manager Jackie Hook said: “It’s all gone really well, we’re going to keep some stuff going over the weekend to make as much as possible.
“Last year we raised £111 so we’re going to try and beat that. The customers are really getting into it though.”
As well as coffee and cake, the shop held a raffle and name the bear competition.
Mrs Hook added: “It’s such a good cause and a really nice event.”
Other coffee mornings included staff at Hinksey Funeral Services in Botley and councillors in Banbury Town Hall.
And at the Trinity Church in Abingdon, organiser Leanne Horton had particular reason to organise the church’s first Macmillan coffee morning.
She said: “We lost my uncle to cancer, my sister has just recovered from cancer and her friend’s daughter has leukemia.
“So that spurred us on to do this. We’ve no idea how much we’ve raised but hopefully it’ll be lots.”
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