A Linslade woman who has lost three close members of her family to cancer is taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning and is urging others to do the same.

Eleven years ago Sheila Smith's daughter-in-law, Mary, was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and she remembers the great support Mary's Macmillan nurse provided the whole family.

To repay Macmillan for its support, and to help other families like hers, Sheila, of Durrell Close, decided to take part in the charity's national fundraiser on Friday, September 25.

At her first event in 2003 she raised £117 and has been taking part every year since. To date she has raised almost £1,500.

Sheila, 67, said: "I couldn't do it without the help and support from my family and friends.

"Everybody is so generous donating prizes for the raffle and baking lots of cakes. This year we have even been given a huge teddy to raffle.
"So many people have experienced cancer and Macmillan's support, they are always keen to help."

Unfortunately, this was not Sheila's only experience of cancer and in January 2004 she lost her nephew and husband within 10 days of each other.

She said: "My husband lived with leukaemia for 10 years, which meant lots of trips to the hospital for check-ups and chemotherapy.

"Luckily, lots of people were around the support me. Roy was a television engineer and had lived in the area all his life so he was well known locally."

Sheila and her husband moved to Durrell Close shortly before he died and that's where Sheila holds her coffee morning each year
She said: "We have gazebos, stalls, banners and balloons outside which passers-by can see.

"The whole community gets involved, as well as all the residents here."
Staff at The Whole Tooth dental practice and Zzest Beauticians of Grovebury Road, Leighton, also have personal reasons for supporting the Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

Many of them have had family members who have received caring support from Macmillan and as a way of showing their appreciation they would like to invite anybody who would like to attend along to the practice from 10.30am to 11.30am to relax over a cup of coffee, cakes and biscuits.

Business development manager at the practice, Ron James, said: "Our friendly staff will make everybody very welcome and the background music which is constantly played in the practice will encourage a friendly atmosphere.

"This is an ideal opportunity to meet staff in an informal, relaxed atmosphere and will especially help people to overcome any fears they may have of visiting the dentist.

"By taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, you will help fund more of their vital services and change the lives of people affected by cancer."

Last year there were 545 Macmillan coffee mornings held across Bedfordshire, raising a fantastic £79,000.

But this year the charity needs the people of Bedfordshire to raise a massive £120,000 to help fund its vital cancer services – ranging from specialist nurses and doctors, to grants and advice for people who have money problems because of their illness.

Fundraising manager for Bedfordshire, Julia Beales, said: "The help we provide people with cancer is absolutely essential and we want to be able to give support to everyone who needs it.

"It's a really fun event that is so easy to take part in, especially as you can tailor it to suit yourself.

"You can have a traditional coffee morning at home or work, organise a glamorous coffee-themed evening, or even serve up smoothies or herbal tea instead of coffee.

"It's a piece of cake to help Macmillan and don't worry if you can't hold your event on the official coffee morning day – just organise it at a time that suits you."

To register to host a coffee morning, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or telephone 0845 602 1246.