A local Tamworth Co-op Funeralcare branch in Woodville hosted a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
99-year-old Joe Cave, who lost his wife of 64 years to cancer, was one of the visitors who took part in the event on 28 September.
He explained how, with Macmillan’s help, his wife had been able to better cope with the illness. Touched by the support offered by the charity at their home, he decided to save all of his 5p coins for it.
“The nurses managed to calm her down and she was really helped by them talking to her on a regular basis. So I decided to start saving my 5ps for them.”
A former foreman at Eatoughs shoe factory in Burton, Mr Cave contributed £40 on the day, £20 of which was in 5p coins.
Other visitors attending the coffee morning had also lost family members after long battles with cancer. Ethel Hull, from Midway, said her husband Chris, 69, has been given six months to live after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus.
“It was a must for me to come along and support this event,” she said.
Kerry Turner, from Newhall, came along to support the charity after losing her mother and uncle to cancer in recent months.
“We’ve had a snowfall of cancer in our family. It’s a cruel disease – it rips your world apart. It’s so comforting to come along to an event like this and help to do some good,” she said.
The coffee morning also brought together local businesses, which donated prizes for the raffle.
Pete Massey, managing director of Masseys DIY store in Woodville, who took part in the event, said: “Macmillan is very reliant on local people doing events like this. Ninety-eight per cent of the money raised is spent on providing practical and emotional support.”
Funeralcare staff also supported the coffee morning. Funeral celebrant Chris Knight helped to organise the eventwhile his wife Jayne baked a selection of cakes for the occasion.
“This is the third year we’ve held this event as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan and it was wonderful to raise such a lot of money for a fantastic cause,” said funeral director Lorraine Walker.
“We see first-hand the pain many families in the area experience because of cancer and it felt good to be doing something positive in the community. It was very moving that Mr Cave came in with his daughter and carer Pauline. We also had other people present who are going through difficult times because of this terrible disease.”
The Woodville funeral home raised a total £440 through the coffee morning.
