Coffee lovers across Wharfedale and Aireborough have helped raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Big events were organised in Yeadon, Ilkley and Bolton Abbey to support the charity’s largest annual fundraiser, the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, on Friday.

Volunteers also ran lots of smaller events, including at Old Pool Bank Village Hall, to coin in the charity cash.

People turned out in force to support the all-day coffee morning at Yeadon Town Hall, which raised £1,100 to the delight of Macmillan’s Otley and Wharfedale Fundraising Group that organised it.

Group member, Katharine Jex, said: “We’re really pleased. We did lunches this year, were there longer and had tables for people to sell things from, and it seems to have paid off.

“The support we received was amazing, and we’d like to thank everybody who came. A big thanks to Otley Chevin Rotary Club, too, which helped us collect at Marks and Spencer in Pudsey last weekend, which raised £1,200.”

Macmillan’s Ilkley Fundraising Committee, meanwhile, raised £911 from its event, held at Abbeyfield, and from carrying out a coffee run for local businesses.

Committee member, Janet Alton, said: “We would like to thank everybody who supported us in any way on Friday.”

A coffee morning featuring home-made cakes and a raffle held at Bolton Abbey Village Hall raised more than £700 for the cause, while the event at Old Pool Bank Village Hall generated £105.

The fundraising work continues this month, with Macmillan’s Otley and Wharfedale Fundraising Group holding a pamper evening at Otley Rugby Club tomorrow. The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets, available on the door, cost £2.50.

The Ilkley committee will resume its monthly luncheon club meetings at The Craiglands Hotel on October 17, when John Moorhouse will speak about ‘Major Police Enquiries’.

Call (01943) 601039 or (01943) 816368 for further information or to book.