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Council’s coffee morning raises £5k in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Council’s coffee morning raises £5k in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Thu, October 10, 2024

Council has hosted its annual Macmillan Coffee Morning in Portballintrae Village Hall, raising £5k for the charity.

Coinciding with the charity’s popular ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ initiative, bringing the fundraising total since 2019 to just over £20,000. Those who attended were treated to delicious treats and live entertainment by Soloists Rebekah Blair and John Porter as well as ukulele performers Uke’s from the Port.

The event saw over 250 people come out to support Macmillan Cancer and the money raised will help provide vital support services for people living with cancer, including the innovative Move More project.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan, who attended the event said: “I was delighted to be invited to Council’s Macmillan Coffee Morning in Portballintrae Village Hall.

“It is a sad fact that cancer affects all too many of us, and the work that Catherine King and the Move More volunteers have done to raise funds for Mcmillan Cancer is invaluable.

“Thank you to all the businesses and supporters who donated both items for the coffee morning, and their time to make the event such a success, this year’s event has raised an outstanding sum for the charity – thank you to everyone who has so generously donated.”

The Move More project was first introduced in the Causeway Coast and Glens area in June 2019. Led by Macmillan Cancer Support, a strong partnership was developed with the Council, which has helped to improve the physical and emotional health and well-being of people living with cancer in the Borough.

Catherine King, Council’s Macmillan Move More Coordinator, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals who donated, baked, and volunteered from the Council’s Macmillan Move More programme. Your efforts, along with the support of all who donated and attended on the day, have been truly amazing.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Heather Simpsons for her generous donation of an original oil on canvas painting titled ‘The White Rocks’. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

“A special thanks to our musicians, Soloist Rebekah Blair and John Porter and the Ukulele band, Uke’s from the Port. Your performances added a special touch to the event, and we are grateful for your support.”

Since 1990, Macmillan Coffee Morning has brought together millions of people from across the UK to have fun and raise money for a good cause. In 2023, Coffee Morning raised over 18 million. Every coffee morning makes a difference, helping to raise vital funds to support the 3 million people in the UK living with cancer, from the moment they are diagnosed, throughout treatment and beyond.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan with Linda McCandless and Margie Leemam at Council’s Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Portballintrae Village Hall. Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan with Vather King, Claire Murphy, Nuala Harragy and Karen Whyte at Council’s Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Portballintrae Village Hall. Catherine King, Council’s Macmillan Move More Coordinator, pictured with Alderman Mark Fielding and Phylis Fielding at the Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Portballintrae Village Hall. Carol Donaghy and Aileen Gault enjoying coffee and cake while chatting to the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan Catherine King, Council’s Macmillan Move More Coordinator, with local artist Heather Simpson, who very kindly donated a beautiful original painting for the coffee morning raffle. Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan greeting a guest at Council’s Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Portballintrae Village Hall.