MACMILLAN Cancer Support is on a mission to empower the people of East Devon to support its annual World s Biggest Coffee Morning.

MACMILLAN Cancer Support is on a mission to empower the people of East Devon to support its annual World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

Last year, 945 events were held in Devon, raising �141,000 for the charity.

But fundraising manager Calvin Lovelock is keen to boost support in East Devon and, in particular, Honiton.

He is planning to hold an information event in the town.

Although the focus of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning will be September 25, Mr Lovelock says the event has turned into more of a "coffee season".

The Herald asked him to explain what services Macmillan provides for people in East Devon.

He said: "Macmillan has helped to fund 80 cancer care specialists in Devon.

"In East Devon, we helped to fund the first six community nursing posts for Hospiscare.

"We gave the equivalent of �800,000 at the time.

"Macmillan set up the chemotherapy unit and the lymphodoema unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and we have recently funded a Macmillan GP, Dr Pru Mitchell, to provide training sessions for local GPs on best practice for the care of those dying in their homes."

Macmillan Cancer Care has aspirations to appoint a welfare rights adviser - to help those diagnosed with cancer get the help they are entitled to.

The charity already employs an adviser in Plymouth, where �750,000 in state benefits was generated last year.

Macmillan is already providing financial support to those living with cancer. In 2008, the charity gave nearly 200 families in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital catchment area grants totalling �66,000.

It is also supporting 15 self-help groups for cancer sufferers, including one in Axminster.

Macmillan led the campaign to have prescription charges waived for cancer sufferers.

To find out more about taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, contact Mr Lovelock on (01803) 528004.