LOADS of coffee was poured out and loads of money poured in during the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

More than 2,000 events took place in the Basingstoke and Deane area which the charity estimates will raise over £40,000.

People at schools, clubs and businesses were among those who took part in the event, now in its 23rd year.

Linda Whitby, Macmillan’s fundraising manager for north Hampshire, said: “We are so grateful to everyone across Basingstoke who supports Macmillan.

“One in three of us today will receive a cancer diagnosis during our lifetime, and this will touch everyone around us, friends, family and colleagues.

“We want to make sure no one has to face cancer alone but we can’t do it without the amazing people who fundraise for us.

“Every pound raised by those taking part in events like World’s Biggest Coffee Morning helps us be there for someone with cancer when they need us most.”

Among those who hosted a coffee morning was Gazette community correspondent Chris Horton who, complete with “£10 and £20” napkins, offered an impressive array of delicious home-made cakes at her Poplar Close home in Sherfield-on-Loddon. She raised more than £288 thanks to the generosity of her friends and neighbours.

High-fliers enjoyed a slice of excitement at Airkix, on Basingstoke Leisure Park. The indoor skydiving tunnel attraction did their bit to support the charity by offering flights at a cost price with the rest of the flight price going towards Macmillan.

The delicious smell of coffee was very much in evidence on West Ham Industrial Estate thanks to Qualitasse.

The coffee bean and coffee machine wholesaler, in Davy Close, proved to be popular with its neighbouring firms who bought delicious coffee and cakes from its distinctive 1940s style Citroën H Van.

Qualitasse marketing manager Tony Phipps said: “We’ve been well supported by the businesses on the estate, particularly with staff coming from firms like Johnsons Apparel-master, Devlin Electronics and Smithie LED supporting us, and we raised £165.”

Birthday boy Ian Marshall came into work when he should have had his day off to support his team at Toys R Us, on Brighton Hill Retail Park, which raised £104.

The 33-year-old store manager said: “One way or another everybody is affected by cancer, so this is a charity close to a lot of people’s hearts.

“Our customers have been really generous and even Geoffrey our mascot made an appearance.”

Councillor Anne Court, Deputy Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, enjoyed several cakes at Basingstoke Voluntary Action, (BVA) which on the day held an Annual General Meeting and officially changed its name from Basingstoke Voluntary Services (BVS).

Cllr Court said: “I had to try a bit of every cake because I judged the cake competition and they were all lovely.

“It was difficult to choose a winner, but I thought the chocolate and Guinness cake was an excellent cake, made by Vicki Harty, who works here at BVA.”

Sandra Walker raised £270 at a coffee morning held at The Good Shepherd church, in Winklebury, Basingstoke.

The event held on the previous Saturday was in memory of her mum May, who died in 1981 following a battle with breast cancer.

Sandra, 57, who lives in Kenilworth Road, Winklebury, had also battled breast cancer after she was diagnosed with the disease following a routine mammogram in 2012. The mother-of-five has since been given the all clear.