Margaret Collins
Margaret Collins has been a 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' host for the last fourteen years.
"If you're thinking about becoming a coffee morning host, just go for it and trust your luck. You'll be surprised just how many people will offer their help!
"My husband, Terry, was diagnosed with throat cancer in May 1992. I really appreciated the care we were given within the community and at home by our Macmillan Nurse. Being able to share our concerns and have somebody to turn to was just what we needed; especially for me as his carer. Just knowing that I could pick up the phone and someone was there to listen to me was always reassuring. We were also able to spend Christmas at home, which was a special, as Terry passed away in February 1993.
"My neighbours held a collection in his memory and raised £300. It made me realised how much people wanted to show their support and the respect they'd felt for Terry. I've always been active within the local community and enjoy raising funds for good causes. I actually saw the leaflet for 'The World's Biggest Coffee Morning' in my local post office. I thought to myself "Yes, I can do this!" That was fourteen years ago and I've hosted it ever since at my local Methodist Church. On the morning I always feel apprehensive and hope that the weather will be decent so that everyone will come. It's funny really, you often don't see some people all year and then they come along and we all have a good catch up. Personally, I enjoy the hustle and the bustle and the camaraderie. I'd say to anybody who's thinking about registering and hosting a coffee morning of their own to just go for it and trust your luck and you'll be surprised just how many people will offer their help! I remember Terry always used to say "You're never still!" and he was quite right. Although I by the end of the morning I'm ready for a sit down, I thrive on getting everything organised and thinking up new ideas to help raise the funds. I'm always pleased with the outcome. I feel it's my way of giving something back!"
For more information about The World's Biggest Coffee Morning go to www.macmillan/coffee