Macmillan cause boosted by West Dereham coffee morning

Fundraisers in West Dereham raised nearly £800 at a home delivery Macmillan Coffee Morning held the week before lockdown.

When the rule of six came into effect, it forced organisers to get creative and to find a way to still hold their fundraiser without breaching Covid regulations.

Originally they had planned to host the village fundraising event in the garden of volunteers, Ian and Kay.

But when the rules changed to include the rule of six, they quickly consulted with police and cancelled the event.

Instead they reorganised to offer home delivery around the village and to collect donations door-to-door.

Jean Rochford, one of the volunteers, said: “When lockdown hit, we had to put it on hold but Macmillan still needed the money.

“So we modified the invitations and had a group of volunteers deliver and collect money door-to-door.”

Despite reorganising the event, the group raised a total of £755.13 including donations from across England, which will go towards Macmillan Cancer Care as part of the nationwide Macmillan Coffee Morning event.

She added: “We even had donations from Yorkshire, Nottingham and Norwich from friends and family.

“I am pleased to say that some of the good people of West Dereham gave handsomely and we would like to say a big thank you for supporting our efforts.”

Jean said: “A special thanks must go to all involved, Jim and Denise Johnson, Ian and Annett Farmer and their granddaughter Ivy, Carl and Sue Simper, Mark and Linda Mahoney, Jean, Keith and Lisa Martin and Ian and Kay.”