Exeter Biosciences volunteers raised £279.63 in donations towards supporting cancer care charity Macmillan.

Biosciences bakers ‘raise’ almost £280 for cancer care

A coffee morning organised by Biosciences volunteers has raised £279.63 in donations towards supporting cancer care charity Macmillan.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s largest fundraising event. A host of local coffee mornings are held on a single date all over the UK, which has led to fundraising of over £165million in donations since 1990. Friday 29th September 2017 saw University staff and students gather in the Living Systems Institute to sample more than 20 different cakes and snacks, baked by volunteers from the Biosciences department. The selection included homemade lemon drizzle cake, chocolate orange cupcakes and sausage rolls, among others. Tea and coffee was also donated for the occasion. The event attracted more than 50 people, who collectively donated £279.63 to Macmillan’s cancer support services.

PhD student Katie Mintram, who co-organised the event alongside Trish Maloney and Jen Creaser, said, “I decided to organise a Macmillan coffee morning for the Biosciences department because everyone loves cake, and Macmillan is such a wonderful charity.”

Macmillan provides medical, emotional and practical assistance for people affected by cancer. They help to finance over 900 local cancer support groups, offer direct support through telephone help lines and information units, and have funded specialist training for thousands of nurses. Donations from this year’s coffee mornings around the country are expected to top last year’s £29.5 million, which will aid Macmillan in ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone.

Katie Mintram thanked her fellow volunteers, commenting “With the help of Trish and Jen we were able to collaborate with the LSI team and make it into such a great event, raising £280 and having lots of fun in the process.”

Article written by Alice Wilson Mcneal, Biosciences PressGang

Date: 18 October 2017

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