SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: THE rich aroma of fresh coffee will soon be wafting through offices, schools and community centres as fundraisers brew up for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Last year, the World's Biggest Coffee Morning raised thousands of pounds in Swindon.

Coffee was slurped and biscuits crunched at more than 80 venues.

And campaigners at the Swindon Cancer Appeal hope this year's event will be even more successful.

Appeal co-ordinator Graziella Campisano said: "It's amazing what you and a cup of coffee can do to support people living with cancer.

"Coffee mornings can be held almost anywhere, including your living room or garden and they are really enjoyable social occasions.

"Lots of people raise even more money by baking cakes and biscuits.

"We were really impressed by last year's efforts but I know we can do better this year, so come on, get organising now."

Scores of fundraisers are already planning their events.

Macmillan stalwart Nationwide raised £2,000 at its Pipers Way headquarters last year.

Michelle Leighton, the firm's community affairs co-ordinator, said: "We didn't just do it here, but we encouraged our branch network across the country to join in.

"They are easy to organise, and allow staff to grab a coffee and a cake and meet up with people they haven't seen for ages. Our atrium was buzzing."

Old Town bar, the Spot, is throwing open its upstairs room to coffee lovers and the Ambrose House business centre, in Milton Street, is also supporting the fundraising drive.

Coffee has been served to shoppers at the MacArthur Glen Designer Outlet centre for seven years.

Volunteers on Macmillan's Swindon fundraising committee will once against be setting kettles steaming.

The appeal is now well on the way to hitting the £600,000 target to boost the number of Macmillan nurses in Swindon.It breached the £400,000 mark earlier this month.

To register for the one-day event on Friday, September 24, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 602 1246.

To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.

Tamash Lal