VILLAGERS have raised £1,000 for a cancer charity by staging a coffee morning that also brought the community together.

The uplifting event was staged in Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington, over the weekend in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Older villagers gathered under social distancing regulations at Hurworth Grange community centre to enjoy tea, cakes, biscuits, and scones baked by around 40 volunteers.

Singer Janie St John provided the entertainment, with villagers joining in a singalong and some getting up to dance.

Other goodie bags, priced at £5, were also sold as takeaways by Caroline Harrison, with fellow volunteers Julie Clacher and Paula Dobson managing deliveries to those who couldn’t get to the community centre.

The event, organised by Liv Baker and Tracie Jacobs, was supported by the village Spar shop, with Nattrass providing flowers for the tables. Another local florist, Artichoke, donated a prize orchid for a draw.

Tracie said: We sold 100 bags of goodies and reached the £1,000 mark for a great charity. It’s been another wonderful community effort.”

Volunteers have organised a series of events in Hurworth-on-Tees during the coronavirus pandemic.

In July, elderly residents of Hurworth had afternoon teas delivered to their homes as a lockdown treat.

Pupils from Hurworth Primary School also made cards and painted pictures to send with the afternoon teas.