Macmillan Cancer Support gets our support
Macmillan Cancer Support was this morning, Friday 30th September, described by an Augustinian parent as ‘life-saving’. The organisation provides advice, information and practical and emotional support to those affected by cancer and so, when Augustinian parents Mrs Lozinski and Mrs de Rozarieux suggested we hold The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at the school to support Macmillan Cancer Support, we jumped at the opportunity.
In fact we did not just hold one coffee morning, but two. Balloons festooned the Pupils’ Refectory as the first coffee morning, at 8.30am, for parents got underway. Along with Lower IV Alpha focussing on Macmillan Cancer Support in their Assembly, Lower IV organised another coffee morning for pupils at pupils’ morning break time. Both were very successful with the refectory crowded at both events. A wide selection of cakes was on offer with many donations from parents and our school caterers, Holroyd Howe, also kindly supplying some items of deliciousness to add to the event.
And what a great result. The parents’ coffee morning raised £335.00 and the pupils’ coffee morning raised £270.64. That’s over £600.00 raised for Macmillan Cancer Support in one morning. Congratulations everyone!
In addition, Augustinian parent, Mrs Dhillon, is holding a cake sale after school in the Prep Playground. So no-one will be left out of this great fund-raiser.
Mrs de Rozarieux commented ‘Macmillan do a wonderful job. It is an organisation that is close to many people’s hearts and to many people at St Augustine’s Priory. It is great to be part of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.’
Mrs Lozinski, co-organiser of the event, said, ‘I’m passionate about Macmillan. My mother has cancer and she has used Macmillan’s services and says they are life-saving. Macmillan has made a huge difference to her, kept her mental state high and enabled her to cope with this disease’.
Parent, Mr Vincic, when asked why he was at the coffee morning said, ‘I was told to come by she who must be obeyed’. Pressed further, he commented, ‘There needs to be a cure for cancer, especially where women are concerned, and Macmillan is a worthwhile organisation. People need to be aware so that the more who can be saved the better to prevent this disease that makes Macmillan so necessary’.
Mrs Bileckyj, a parent who assisted at the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning added, ‘My husband was diagnosed with lymphoma. Macmillan were very helpful with literature and time, explaining the impact of the disease. They were brilliant. Macmillan went through everything with us. The good news is that my husband is well now and back at work.’ She also added, ‘My mother had cancer and Macmillan offered practical help in finding a hospice for her.’
For the pupils’ event sisters Jeevun (Lower IVA) and Milan (Form III Alpha) Dhillon had decided to seize the initiative and become involved in organising The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for pupils. They sent off for a Macmillan pack and approached Marks and Spencer to see if they would help with the cake sale and Marks and Spencer generously donated many cakes for the pupils’ The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
Jeevun commented on the reason for her becoming a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning organiser, ‘Someone who was related to me died of cancer and I felt sorry for the children’s parents and the parents’ children who have cancer and I wanted to help’.
Staff also became involved as cakes were taken up to the Staff Room (with a collection box!) for those not able to attend the other events.
Macmillan Cancer Support has an impact on so many lives and, for those affected by cancer and their families, brings common-sense, practical support and an essential life-line for those who need it the most.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was a whole-community occasion at St Augustine’s Priory, involving parents, pupils and staff. Thank you to Mrs Lozinski and Mrs de Rozarieux, Jeevun and Milan Dhillon and all who helped and attended our World’s Biggest Coffee Mornings!
As Mrs Cotton, Deputy Head Seniors, said, ‘I don’t know about the World, but it will certainly be St Augustine’s Priory’s Biggest Coffee Morning!
