FROM care home staff to solicitors - dozens of people put the kettle on to raise money for a very good cause.

The Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning takes place every year to fundraise for the cancer charity, with lots of people doing their bit to help others.

Staff at Colten Care homes across Dorset, including Castle View in Poundbury, enjoyed hot drinks and freshly baked cakes, along with their residents, relatives, friends and people from the community.

And Humphries Kirk law firm also got involved at their Wareham office. The firm provided a donation to the local people who made the cakes, and everyone in the office also dressed down for the day to raise even more money.

All 11 Colten Care homes in Dorset, plus nine in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Sussex, took part, adding a Willy Wonka-style twist to the proceedings.

Among the cakes and pastries at each home was a ‘Golden Cupcake’, containing an edible gold leaf filling hidden inside.

Lucky recipients won a bottle of bubbly and have been entered into a prize draw with the chance to win £250 in shopping vouchers. Colten Care will make an equivalent £250 donation to Macmillan on their behalf.

As well as the cupcake search, homes hosted garden events, live music and even staff-versus-relatives bake-off competitions.

Tim Wookey, companionship director at Colten Care, said: “Our residents and team members really enjoy welcoming friends and contacts into our homes and of course helping good causes. The coffee morning is a great community initiative that brings people together, raises awareness of Macmillan’s work and generates donations. Our Golden Cupcakes added a definite talking point.”

John Griffin, a resident at Colten’s Canford Chase home in Poole, Dorset, said: “This was a lovely, happy get-together in aid of a charity that does such amazing work.”

Macmillan Cancer Support works with people affected by cancer to provide the tools and inspiration needed to get through their treatment. Macmillan's research helps the charity understand the needs and experiences of people affected by cancer, to develop and influence better care services. For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or follow #CoffeeMorning or @macmillancoffee.