Former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Ampika Pickston's brewing support for Ribble Valley coffee morning

An annual Macmillan Coffee Morning – hosted at a cottage near Clitheroe – served up lashings of cakes and cuppas to help raise an incredible £7,000 for people affected by cancer.
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Carol Hutton, from Chaigley, spent three days baking 33 different kinds of cakes for her seventh fundraiser for the cancer charity, which has so far raised £7,075.

She received an incredible single £5,000 donation from her former boss, Ampika Pickston, one of Carol’s close friends and Real Housewives of Cheshire star, and her partner West Ham United co-owner, David Sullivan. Ampika’s grandfather and David’s father were both cared for by Macmillan nurses and the charity is close to both their hearts.

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Carol, a personal assistant and nanny, who has lost several friends to cancer, welcomed more than 50 guests on the day. They dug deep and have helped Carol almost double her overall fundraising total - since she first started hosting coffee mornings in 2014 - to £13,889.

Carol Hutton (centre) with her friends Brenda (left) and Lavinia.Carol Hutton (centre) with her friends Brenda (left) and Lavinia.
Carol Hutton (centre) with her friends Brenda (left) and Lavinia.

She explains: “It’s a lot of hard work but it’s worth it and everyone enjoyed it and had a lovely time. I couldn’t do it without the help of my friends Brenda Whaley and Lavinia Walters, but it’s for such a worthwhile cause and I’m overwhelmed by the money we raised. I’ve known and lost a lot of friends to cancer, who had vital support from Macmillan. That’s why I host coffee mornings to try and raise as much money as possible so Macmillan can continue to support other families affected by cancer.”

Besides coffee and cakes, afternoon teas and sandwiches were also on offer, as well as 88 raffle prizes to be won.

Louise Osgood, Macmillan’s Relationship Fundraising Manager for East Lancashire, added: “Macmillan is working tirelessly to do whatever it takes for people with cancer at a time when disruption caused by Covid-19 means demand for the charity’s services is high, while its income is down. Nearly all (98%) of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations, so it’s never been more important for people like Carol to host a coffee morning like this, to help raise vital funds to ensure Macmillan can continue to deliver the services that people living with cancer desperately need, now and in the future.”

Anyone wishing to support Carol's fundraising is asked to CLICK HERE

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