SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Funds for Macmillan raised in charity's birthplace

RESIDENTS living in the same community in which the Macmillan Cancer Support charity was first established in 1911 have raised £500 by putting the kettle on.

They took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – a fundraising initiative held in the last week of September each year.

Yarlington Housing Group’s retirement living resident, Denys Ryalls, of Millbrook Gardens in Castle Cary, decided to hold a Macmillan coffee morning to raise funds after benefitting from the support and services offered by the charity when her son was diagnosed with cancer.

Mrs Ryalls said: “I first came across the national fundraiser when visiting my son in St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.

“I walked into the Macmillan suite during week of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and decided that the following year I would hold one in Castle Cary.

“My family and I received great support from Macmillan while my son was in hospital, and holding the coffee morning was my way of giving something back.”

In a marquee at MillbrookGardens the community got together to enjoy tea, cake and chatter whilst raising funds.

PHOTO – TOP: Madron Osborne, secretary of Millbrook Residents’ Association; Penny Steiner, chairman of the Macmillan fundraising group in Castle Cary; Brian Downting, chairman of Millbrook Residents’ Association; and Denys Ryalls, treasurer of Millbrook Residents’ Association.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Douglas Macmillan, of Castle Cary, who founded what is now known as Macmillan Cancer Support in 1911.

“The help from everyone in the community was amazing. In just two hours we raised £500 which is fantastic - I was thrilled, but couldn’t have done it without everyone else.’ added Mrs Ryalls.

Penny Steiner, chairman of the Macmillan fundraising group in Castle Cary, added: “Macmillan Cancer Support is such a worthwhile charity - there are very few people that do not know someone that has been affected by cancer and the support the charity provides can make a huge difference to people lives.”

Douglas Macmillan, born in Cumnock Crescent, Castle Cary, and educated at Sexey’s School, Bruton, founded what is today known as the Macmillan Cancer Support charity in 1911 after receiving an early birthday present of £10 from his father who was dying of cancer.

He used this money to set up a charity to provide support and care for people with cancer. Macmillan’s vision is as strong today as the charity aims to help make sure no one has to face cancer alone, from the moment they’re diagnosed, through treatment and beyond.

Last year The World’s Biggest Coffee morning raised £20 million for Macmillan Cancer Support as a result of events held across the country.

Macmillan can be contacted on 0808 808 00 00 or for more information about their support visit www.macmillan.org.uk.

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