Coffee and cake fill the coffers for cancer care

The national event is the charity Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraiser, and those involved locally included Newbury speciality cake-baker Katie Bedminster – Katie B – who raised £30 by selling her cakes and she also donated a box of cupcakes to the Newbury Weekly News offices, whose staff then bought them, raising a further £30.
Mrs Bedminster said: “My friend lost her fiancé to cancer and she works for Macmillan, which is what prompted me to raise funds for them.”
Other businesses taking part on the day included Newbury carpet cleaning company ServiceMaster, who held a coffee morning in memory of former employee, Avril Bannister, raising £291.50.
“Avril showed outstanding courage and resilience in battling breast cancer and was cared for by Macmillan nurses in the final stages of her illness, before she died in March 2011,” said Shirley Ellis, from ServiceMaster.
Tots, parents and staff at Victoria Park Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Newbury, also held a coffee morning, raising £93.97 as did pupils at the Clere School, Burghclere, raising £507.25.
The mayor and mayoress of Newbury, Anthony Pick and Catherine Kent, and Newbury MP Richard Benyon all attended an event at the Newbury Conservative Club, which raised £338, and Falkland Women’s Institute also held a coffee morning. Participating pubs included the Carpenter’s Arms, Burghclere. The café in M&S, Northbrook Street, Newbury, Garden Centre Group, Thatcham, Barclays bank, Travelodge and some 15 nurseries, primary and secondary schools were all involved in the fundraising day, as were West Berkshire Council.
The West Berkshire and North West Hampshire fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, Linda Whitby, said that more than 175 people in the Newbury area signed up for a WBCM .
“Every pound raised matters and helps us fund our fantastic local services such as the 74 professionals, including Macmillan nurses and allied health professionals, working in clinical environments and the community across Berkshire,” said Mrs Whitby.
Elsewhere, The Pilgrims Guest House in Newbury raised almost £500 on Friday morning, while Herongate Leisure raised more than £200.