Macmillan's Coffee Mornings

I felt like how I imagine it must feel to be an MP this morning - rushing around from one event to another, just stopping for 20 minutes or so. I wanted to join three separate coffee mornings, each of them participating in the Macmillan's Biggest Coffee Morning in the World. Began at The Exchange in Newtown, where my dear friend, Trudy was involved in running things. Trudy rang me later to say they raised over £250. Next stop was Adfa, where Marion Jones had asked me to make a little speech. Every year, she and a few helpers raise over £500 for the charity. And finally to Llanfair Caereinion, where Mrs Moore (don't know her Christian name) had invited me to join them. Old friend, Mick Bates was there as well. You can tell he's not standing for election again. He'd gone before the photographs.

Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. As treatment has improved, there are many of us who are recovered cancer patients, or are 'living with cancer'. Its why so many of us are keen to support these coffee mornings. I went to two yesterday as well - Montgomery and Welshpool. What I really like is the 'voluntary' aspect of supporting Macmillan Nurses. Its us as human beings looking after each other. In so many ways, citizens expect 'government' to look after those who fall vulnerable, or who cannot look after themselves. But there's only so much that 'government' can do. Yesterday and today, huge numbers of people were out at coffee mornings, across the world, all there helping each other. Its what makes civil society. Joining in is one of the joys of being a human being, as well as being a parliamentary candidate.