A LEADING cancer charity is urging people across Bournemouth and Dorset to raise more than £100,000 by taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Macmillan Cancer Support wants people across the area to take part in the event on Friday, September 24, to help raise money to fund local cancer services.

In 2009 there were around 500 Macmillan coffee mornings held across Dorset raising £80,000.

But this year the charity is hoping that more people will hold a coffee morning to help fund local cancer services.

Macmillan Fundraising’s manager for Dorset, Chrissie Wathen-Neal, said: “Macmillan is there to help from the moment someone is diagnosed with cancer and the support we provide is vital.

“Our doctors and nurses offer specialist medical care and emotional support while our benefits advisors help cancer patients get the government money they are entitled to.

“We have over 30 Macmillan professionals across the county including those based at Poole and Bournemouth hospitals.

“Macmillan helps to provide grants to people with cancer who are struggling financially and have supported more than 150 people in Dorset last year with everything from money towards wigs, heating and travelling costs.

“All the services we offer are essential and we rely on the money raised from events like the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to fund them.

“So we are asking people across Bournemouth and Dorset to put a smile on their mug and help Macmillan reach more people affected by cancer in their area.”

The fun event can be tailored to suit individuals and can also take the form of a garden party with neighbours or a pub quiz with work colleagues.

People can hold an event on a day near to September 24 and can even sip cocktails or herbal tea as an alternative to coffee.

To take part visit macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 070 1315 quoting the code LA9.