The first ever Coffee Morning happened way back in 1990.

It was a rather small affair with a simple idea: guests would gather over coffee and donate the cost of their cuppa to Macmillan in the process. It was so effective, they did it again the next year – only this time nationally. Since then, Coffee Morning has raised over £200 million for Macmillan.

Macmillan do it for various reasons and explained how it all works.

They said: “We understand how cancer can affect people’s whole lives – health, money, family, job; everything. And, after more than 100 years of caring, we understand that the most important thing is to treat people as individuals, not patients.

“So we take the time to understand the support people need to live their lives as fully as they can. From the moment of diagnosis and whenever we’re most needed, we’re here to help people find their best way through. Our help is totally focused on each individual person, so everyone receives the support that’s best for them.

“We’re here for you too. For information, support or just someone to talk to, call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm).”

The events, held on Friday, September 27, are Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. They ask people all over the UK to host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan. Last year Struthers Primary School (right) raised over £1,200.