How the millions raised by Macmillan Coffee Morning help people with cancer

From benefits guidance to support with loneliness, the charity’s holistic approach to cancer care provides a vital safety net for those living with the disease

Macmillan Coffee Morning is a fundraising powerhouse that raises tens of millions of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support each year. So you might be surprised to hear that it had very humble beginnings. It started with a group of friends and a simple idea: to get together over coffee and donate the cost of their drink to Macmillan. Fast forward nearly 35 years, and Macmillan Coffee Mornings come in all shapes and sizes. You can still find people gathering over a slice of cake and a hot drink, but fundraisers have taken the concept and made it their own with events held anywhere and everywhere, from football clubs and drag bars, to yoga studios and classic car shows.

Despite the name, events don’t actually have to involve coffee or even be held in the morning. A Macmillan Coffee Morning could include games and quizzes, fancy dress, cocktail making or chai and chaat – whatever fundraisers feel will best bring their friends, colleagues, school or community together to do something amazing for people living with cancer. If simple but effective is most up your street, the classic Coffee Morning still works a treat, and Macmillan provides all the resources you need to make it a success – from invitations to posters and fundraising ideas. Everything except the coffee and cake, that is.