NEARLY £2,000 has been raised by a kind-hearted community group from Alvechurch after hosting a coffee morning with a difference.

Four women who live on Meadow Lane organised a renowned Macmillan coffee morning on September 18 but transformed the tradition into a garden party.

Sue Gould and her husband Rob hosted the event in their garden, selling second-hand books, arts and crafts, and vegetables from the local allotment.

Verity Shears, aged 43, who promoted the event via social media said the group had an ambitious target of raising £1,000 but their final amount was £1,776.57.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: A selection of homemade cakes were on offer to visitors. A selection of homemade cakes were on offer to visitors.

“Two years ago, we raised £452 and due to the Covid pandemic we were not able to organise a coffee morning last year, so we wanted to make up for lost time,” said Verity.

“It took us two months to plan, and we did not know how it was going to go as we are still living with Covid, and people are apprehensive.

“However, it was a great success!”

The group also hosted a raffle which included eight prizes such as free venue hire at Alvechurch Cricket Club and free haircuts for a year at Barney Barbers.

Macmillan is a charity close to the group’s heart as cancer has affected some of the women involved.

Jeni Burton was diagnosed with lung cancer four years ago but after defying the odds survived the illness.

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Verity added: “I think one of the biggest reasons why we raised so much money was our social media presence and the fact we held the event outside - the weather was lovely!

“We are keen to do another coffee morning in this style next year as it worked so well.

“We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that supported us and for making the event the success it was.”