Dobbies Garden Centre in Andover is raising funds for Macmillan’s Coffee Morning this week by hosting a series of events to encourage people to donate.

The ‘Raise a Cup’ event allows customers to win a selection of cakes by guessing the weight of the bundle, while there will be opportunities to make donations at the till and throughout the restaurant.

Even customers who can’t make it to the shop can take part, with an online competition allowing members of the public to show off their home baking prowess in a chance to win an Afternoon Tea for Two.

There will also be a Facebook Live with coffee specialists Matthew Algie on Friday September 25, from 13:00 to 13:45. Gosia Lendzioszek, who is a Coffee Excellence Manager, will chat through facts and myths about coffee, host demonstrations, invite questions, as well as encouraging people to donate online.

Dobbies will give the full donation from the sale of cupcakes, collections at the tills and buckets located in the restaurants, from guess the weight of the cake bundle as well as online during the Facebook Live event.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support deliver amazing work and we hope that our ‘Raise a Cup’ event contributes to the fantastic fundraising efforts taking place across the UK.

“We encourage everyone to make their coffee count during this week and visit Dobbies stores in Hampshire to raise a cup for this worthwhile cause.”

Macmillan Cancer Support offers essential care and advice for those affected by cancer; from initial diagnosis through to treatment and aftercare, as well as supporting family members and carers. The funds raised from Macmillan’s Coffee Morning allow the charity to continue to provide emotional, clinical and financial support for people living with cancer, who need the charity now more than ever before.

The charity was founded in 1911 by Douglas Macmillan after the death of his father from cancer. The coffee mornings began in 1991, and have raised £75 million over the 29 years since then. For its 30th anniversary, Macmillan is encouraging the public to do ‘whatever it takes’ to get involved in the annual fundraiser.