Brancaster businesses give thousands to Macmillan

Macmillan Cancer Support had its funds boosted on Friday when staff at the Brancaster White Horse and sister Brancaster business, The Jolly Sailors, handed over a cheque for more than £5,000.

It capped a record year of fundraising and brought the total these two coastal inns have raised to over £35,000 in the last seventeen years.

White Horse general manager Rob Williamson, said the money had been raised by various means including collection boxes and charity walks.

He said: "The main bulk of what we do is a bonanza Christmas Carol event."

Combined with the event is a raffle with many local businesses such as Titchwell Manor, Thornham Deli and Burnham Market's Hoste Arms providing around 30 prizes.

"We invite local people, businesses and guests to the event. We hold the event just before Christmas and we sing carols in the bar and have a pot roast."

Macmillan's region manager Sema Hussein said the donor has requested that the money should be spent within Norfolk.

She said: "It may fund a Macmillan Nurse or help the information centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, perhaps by restocking materials."

"Raising over £5,000 is amazing. Thank you so much."

Last year the charity spent £1 million in Norfolk alone.

Among the many small causes they funded were providing families with stress-relieving weekend holidays or buying an individual who had digestion problems a blender.

Mr Williamson praised the local businesses, who had generously contributed to their Christmas Carol event, and all the staff involved in the fundraising.

He said: "They all got on board with it and worked so hard in their own time."