KETTLES were whistling across Worcestershire as people had a cuppa for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan’s coffee mornings have become an annual event, raising cash for the charity’s nurses to continue their work with cancer patients and their families.

Among those taking part i yesterday was Blooms Worcester Garden Centre where more than 112 people took advantage of free tea and coffee, raising £230.

Andy Morton, manager of Blooms said: “We had a really successful morning.”

At the Guildhall, as well as coffee, volunteers also sold Christmas cards, crafts and books to raise money, although the full amount raised will not be announced until tomorrow.

Peter Venables, Worcester and District Macmillan Cancer Support member, said: “It went very well, we had quite a lot of people show up and all the stalls did well.”

Another successful morning was had by congregation members and volunteers at St Clement’s Church in Henwick Road, St John’s.

Churchwarden Marguerite Stevens organised the event. She said: “We had a very good turnout and we raised about £200. It really was a fantastic morning.”

The Friends of Cripplegate Park also held a coffee morning at the park’s Son’s of Rest hut.

The University of Worcester raised more than £400 with its coffee morning.

Organiser Valerie Gorton, principal lecturer in the university’s institute of health and society, said: “We had a captive audience in the reception as virtually everybody passes through there and most people were keen to buy a cake or two.”

RGS Worcester held its fourth Macmillan coffee morning and raised £219 in just 15 minutes.

Pupils, parents and members of staff made cakes which were sold at break time.

Secretary to the deputy head, Margaret Sturdy, who organised the event, said: “It’s a great way to kick start our fund-raising this term, after all everyone likes cake.

“We raised £210 last year within a very short time frame so it’s really great to exceed that amount this year.”

A coffee morning at Worcestershire Royal Hospital also celebrated the launch of the MacMillan Cancer Information and Support Service at the hospital.

Kelly Whitehouse, Macmillan fundraising manager for Worcestershire, said the new service will offer emotional, practical and financial support.

She said: “It was a fantastic morning. There was a healthy turn out of people who donated money for coffee and cake.”

The new service is also looking for volunteers. For more information, or to apply, contact Kay Tandy, Macmillan information and support facilitator on 01905 733837 or email kay.tandy@worcsacute.nhs.uk.