Macmillan’s flagship fundraiser, World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, took place at City Hall on Friday morning (30th September) and every slice of cake eaten and cup of coffee poured has the power to help change lives for people living with cancer. The charity has asked everyone to take part, either by hosting a coffee morning or by attending one.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan wants to help make London a better place for all those living and working in and across the capital. His involvement in this year’s coffee morning is testament to his commitment in working closely with organisations to achieve this aim. By holding a coffee morning at City Hall today, the money raised will help provide essential support for people affected by cancer.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is the nation’s biggest social fundraiser for cancer and last year, 7,500 coffee mornings were held in London alone, helping raise around £2,193,000 for people affected by cancer.

Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support says: “We want to make sure that we support people affected by cancer at pivotal moments in their cancer journey, but we can’t do it without the amazing people who fundraise for us. We have seen support for the event grow year on year and we are really pleased that the Mayor of London has joined the nation in coming together to host his very own coffee morning.

“Regardless of size, location, and whether you bake it or fake it, each slice of cake shared at a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning really does change lives by helping us ensure that no one faces cancer alone.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan added: “I’m delighted to join Londoners across the capital to support the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – sharing a slice of cake and a cup of coffee with my team at City Hall.

“The vital services that Macmillan Cancer Support provides to thousands of people with cancer in London and the UK are only possible due to the generosity of volunteers and fundraisers, so please show your support and give whatever you can.”

Macmillan’s Head of Services for London, Ed Tallis, said: “We rely on the generosity of our supporters for more than 99% of our income and coffee morning events are a great way to have fun whilst raising vital funds for our services to help people affected by cancer. If you can’t host or get along to a coffee morning today, then just pick another day. All that matters is that you get together with friends, colleagues or neighbours over coffee and cake to raise some money to help fund the charity’s vital services that provide practical, financial, emotional and medical support to people affected by cancer.”

2016 is the 26th year of the event and with the help of fundraisers in London, Macmillan hopes to beat the £27.6m raised last year across the UK. The money raised will be used to fund services including Information and Support Centres, benefit advice services and practical help and support groups across the country, as well as the cancer nurse specialists.

In 2020 almost one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime and it’s the toughest fight most of us will ever face. No one should face cancer alone, and with your support no one will.

Visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call The Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00. For more information on the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning visit: www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk.