THE World's Biggest Coffee Morning, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, gets under way early in the United Reformed Church Hall, Kingsteignton, between 10am-noon tomorrow.

The event, which also features stalls and bring and buy, has been brought forward a week because next weekend it is the Harvest Festival and Lunch.

Next Friday is the actual day of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning and there are events throughout Teignbridge.

Wife, mother and grandmother Pat Courtney, aged 55, has teamed up with Ilsington Primary School to take part in Macmillan's flagship event on Friday September 24.

Pat has raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan since she was treated for ovarian and cervical cancer in 2001, for which radical surgery was required.

'Were it not for the support of my husband and family, I think I would have given up. The chemotherapy affected me very badly, my father died within three months of the start of my treatment and then I had 28 days of radiotherapy.

'As with many people, Macmillan is close to my heart – the charity provided a grant to enable me to buy an eye level cooker, as I was in no position to bend down. By fundraising I feel I am in part giving back for all the treatment I received,' said Pat who lives in Heathfield.

Ilsington Primary School head of teaching and learning, Laura Sutton, said that Pat's grand-daughter Lauryn is a pupil at the school.

'When I put Pat's suggestion to the staff that the school might take part in the coffee morning there was a wholehearted response,' she said.

The event at Ilsington Primary School is on the afternoon of next Friday and everyone is invited.

The children will be involved throughout the week with a picture competition, line of pennies and a mufti day. On the Friday, Year 6 will be responsible for the refreshments.

In Bishopsteignton the Jack's Patch Nursery and Garden Centre is inviting people to join in with the coffee morning on Friday, from 9am-noon.

It is offering customers free tea and coffee in return for a donation to Macmillan.

Myra Vaughan has been organising a World's Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan for longer than she cares to remember.

Next Friday will be no exception with the event in Hometeign House, Salisbury Road, Newton Abbot, from 10am-noon.

At her home, 15A Ringmore Road, Shaldon, Angie Clarance is holding her coffee morning for Macmillan between 10.30am-12.30pm next Friday, and there will be a raffle as well as Christmas cards and other items for sale.

Across at Dawlish, also on Friday, you can call in to B G Wills and Son Funeral Service, at 23 Brunswick Place, who are holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning from 10.30am-noon.