LOCAL MP ASKS PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR MUGS FOR MACMILLAN

3.11.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 1st Aug 2005

Sarah Teather MP talking to NHS staff

Sarah Teather MP for Brent East, is urging local people to get together for a cup of coffee and be part of Macmillan Cancer Relief 's World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 30 September.

Every day 739 people in this country are told they have cancer. Right now Macmillan can't be there for all of them. That's why Sarah Teather MP is encouraging her constituents to help the charity raise its target of £6 million on 30 September - to fund vital information and counselling centres, specialist Macmillan medical staff, buildings for cancer treatment and care, as well as grants for patients in financial difficulties.

Being a part of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning is as simple as putting the kettle on and asking friends, family or colleagues to get together for a cup of coffee and make a donation for each cup they drink.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is in its 15th year and to date, has raised over £30 million. All over the UK coffee mornings are held in people's homes, at work, at local venues and at schools and this year Macmillan is encouraging many more people to join in the fun and help raise even more money.

Sarah Teather MP says: "The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is a great way to raise money for such a fantastic cause and have fun at the same time. Cancer can cause devastation to the lives of people diagnosed with it - and their loved ones and this is an easy way for all of us in Brent to make a difference and help Macmillan Cancer Relief fund its vital work for people living with cancer. So come on Brent put the kettle on, invite your friends round and make your cup of coffee count!

"Having worked for Macmillan I know first hand the good work that the charity does and how vital the money raised from the coffee mornings are."

Log onto www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call the hotline 0845 602 1246 to register now To register to host your own coffee morning or to find out more please call the Macmillan Hotline on 0845 602 1246.