THE coffee smelt good on Friday morning during the Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

The national event was supported by clubs, organisations, businesses and individuals across the Basingstoke and Deane area.

Among them was The Gazette community news correspondent Chris Horton, who said: “Cake tastes better together.”

That is the motto for this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning, and cake certainly did taste better on Friday at her Sherfield-on-Loddon home.

Chris said: “I’ve done this for a few years now in memory of my friend, Cheryl McGhee and this is the best one so far as I raised the incredible sum of £429.70.

“I had 30 people come for coffee and cake and would like to thank everyone who gave their time and money so generously.”

Ten-year-old Connor Plackett, held his fundraising event on Friday afternoon, from the front room of his home in Millard Close, Oakridge, where he served hot drinks and slices of cake.

Generous neighbours, family and friends helped him raise £389.

He held the event after his grandfather Ken Plackett was recently diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Connor’s mum, Kerry Zammit said: “I’m so proud of him. For Connor it has been really bad because he’s really close to his grandad. But this is something nice to come out of a bad situation. It was his idea to do it and he stood up for the whole two hours making the drinks.”

Students and staff at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) enjoyed their coffee fix courtesy of coffee bean and coffee machine wholesaler Qualitasse.

The firm, based in Davy Close, on West Ham Industrial Estate, brought their distinctive 1940s style Citroën H van to the college, where it was hard to resist the delicious smell of coffee.

Qualitasse marketing manager Tony Phipps said he was only too happy to team up with the college for the coffee morning, especially as the firm is now a supplier for The Restaurant at BCoT.

Catering students such as 17-year-old Emma Griffiths, lent a hand during the morning, assisting Tony and lead barista Gary Young serve coffee, hot chocolate and cakes.

Tony said: “We introduced the students to the world of coffee, where they attended a training session at Qualitasse and experienced serving customers from our van.”

Customers included BCoT deputy principal David Moir who was particularly pleased that students were getting involved.

He said: “It’s good experience for them to be doing something for such a good cause.”

The Qualitasse and BCoT team raised £155 during the morning.

At Basingstoke Rugby Football Club’s Down Grange club house, members of Kancare – Kempshott Area NeighbourCare – tucked into an impressive array of homemade cakes. Among those enjoying the spread was newly-appointed community rugby coach Geraint ‘Coops’ Cooper.

Pleased with the turnout, Kancare coffee club organiser Carol Wallace, said: “It was a great success for both members and volunteers who thoroughly enjoyed it and we raised £210 for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

The mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Anne Court, also attended a coffee morning at BVA – Basingstoke Voluntary Action – at its offices at The Orchard in White Hart Lane.