LAURA CARTLEDGE Life's like That...Eat cake for a very good cause? Count me in for a coffee morning

So I am very excited tomorrow gives me a very good excuse to combine both, as it is The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillian.

It’s a scary and sad statistic one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. And as a result, most of us know someone who is, or has, battled with the disease.

The only silver lining to this horrible cloud has to be that it causes people to turn out in force to help fund research and care, carried out by great charities like Macmillian.

These fantastic efforts saw more than 43,000 people register their coffee morning events last year. And by using their kettle-boiling, cake-baking and fantastic fundraising skills, they raised an impressive £8m.

Not that it is all conventional cuppas and cakes, however, with some people pushing the event to record-breaking extremes. Including the Highest Coffee Morning (on a jet fighter in 2004) and the World’s Deepest Coffee Morning (held down Poldark Mine, Cornwall, in 2002).

All of which almost makes our in-office nibbles seem somewhat dull in comparison. But, whether you’re raising pounds or pennies, anything to help make the lives easier of patients easier or bring a cure a step closer is worth it.

For people who need ideas of what to bake, celebrities have offered their favourite recipes to help add some tasty inspiration, from Fearne Cotton’s Carrot Cake to Judi Dench’s Rum and Chocolate Fudge.

And people who aren’t so able in an apron can always head to Marks and Spencer, as the M&S café is an official partner of the event.

So what better excuse is needed to get together and enjoy a brew which can really make a difference?

To find out more about the event please visit www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk or phone 0845 602 1246.

* May the best man win

There must be something in the water at the moment.

Engagement rings and baby bumps seem to be everywhere.

Last week I was lucky enough to be in on the down-on-one-knee secret of one of my oldest friends.

Now all I have to do is convince him I would look good enough in a suit to be best man...

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