By Chris Tucker

Last updated 16:10, Wednesday, 20 August 2008

MACMILLAN Cancer support hopes to stage the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, September 26.

bypass break: (from left) Stephen Greenhalgh, Mike Ryding (Morrison), Francis Borg (Capita Symonds), Mal Sinfield (Highways Agency), Barbara Sharpe and Sue Mcdonald (Macmillan Cancer Support) and Mike Briggs (Capita Symonds)

The Highways Agency and Morrison Construction, who are building the new A595 Parton to Lillyhall bypass, are offering their time and support to the fundraising event.

Stephen Greenhalgh, Highways Agency project manager, said: “It can be thirsty work building a new road and a cup of coffee always goes down well, especially during a Cumbrian summer!”

Not only is the agency involving itself with the coffee morning, it is also planning a sponsored walk along the new road before it opens to traffic on October 19.

“It will be a one-off opportunity to take to the road on foot and at the same time raise money for a great cause.”

In 2007 Macmillan raised £7.5 million for people whose lives are affected by cancer.

The money is used to fund more specialist nurses, doctors, health and social care professionals and cancer buildings, improve access to cancer information and provide more financial support for people living with cancer.

Last year in Cumbria alone, supporters raised £71,000. Macmillan fundrasier for Cumbria, Barbara Sharpe, said: “We want to help every one of those people diagnosed with cancer, but we can only do this with your help.

“We are particularly delighted that they have chosen Macmillan to host a sponsored walk down the new Lillyhall-to-Parton by-pass before it opens to traffic.”

For more details contact Barbara on 01228 409 186 or email bsharpe@macmillan.org.uk. People wishing to register for their free World’s Biggest Coffee Morning pack, call 0845 602 1246 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee.