Stars parade for ‘mug shots’
Famous faces have lined up for ’mug shots’ to champion the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning charity fundraiser. Celebrity photographer Rankin has captured the faces of stars like singer Boy George, actress Kathy Burke and Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Ballas to promote Macmillan Cancer Support’s flagship event on Friday, September 27.
Renowned photographer Rankin, whose own mother sadly died from cancer, was passionate to direct the photography project.
He said: “My mother passed away 12 years ago, and she had lung cancer. Macmillan really supported her and my family when she was in hospital. I’m excited to be part of this. It’s such a simple idea that’s emotive and relatable. Everyone drinks either tea or coffee, and hosting a coffee morning can help make a big difference.”
To highlight the coffee morning concept, Rankin has photographed seven famous faces posing with coffee cups.
They include a picture of himself hoisting a mini cup, Supermarket Sweep host Rylan Clark-neal looking through the handle of a mug, Coronation Street star Faye Brookes cradling a cuppa and comedian Joe Lycett hiding behind one.
The well-known names have also shared their personal experiences with cancer and their reasons for supporting the campaign.
Dance guru Shirley Ballas said, “I’m supporting Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning because last year my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and I just want to be there for everybody and support the charity by helping raise awareness and money towards magnificent nurses and incredible services.”
Actress Faye Brookes, who plays Kate Connor in the ITV soap opera, said her own family had also been touched by cancer as her brother was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was a young boy.
She said: “From my own experience I know that my family could not have done what they had done with my brother if it wasn’t for the Macmillan nurses. My brother got diagnosed when he was nine with leukaemia and it was such a difficult time for everybody. But the support that we had was like no other. Get together and find any excuse to have a cup of tea, a chat, a laugh and eat loads of cake. Because life’s too short – eat cake first.”
The annual event sees more than 200,000 people take part in a day dedicated to cuppas and cakes, raising vital funds for Macmillan so the charity can continue to be there for the growing number of people with cancer in the UK.
Money raised from donations goes towards funding essential services like Macmillan’s financial guides, cancer nurses, support workers and other health professionals, to help ensure people with cancer get the physical, emotional and financial support they need.
Fellow ‘mug shots’ Boy George and Macmillan Coffee Morning regular Joe Lycett have urged people to get involved on Friday or whenever they are hosting their event.
DJ Boy George said: “I’m supporting coffee morning because I think it’s important to bring people together. I don’t think there is anybody in the world that hasn’t been affected by cancer in one way or another, so this is a wonderful thing to be part of.”
Comedian Joe Lycett shared those sentiments, adding: “I’m all for Macmillan and everything they do. They are so reassuring, provide such brilliant care, advice and guidance in the toughest times of people’s lives. If you’re unsure about hosting a coffee morning, just do it because it’s a lovely thing to do. Rankin I go to one every year with my other mother Jane who puts on a fabulous party.”
Some of the other stars in the shoot have also spoken of their ideal guests at their Macmillan Coffee Morning. Kathy Burke said: “In my fantasy coffee morning I’d invite Lizzo (The Queen) and that’s it! You don’t need anyone else. She’s everybody rolled into one. I’d serve her anything she wanted!”
While presenter Rylan Clark-neal said: “If I could hold a fantasy coffee morning I’d invite all five Spice Girls and it would be the best morning of my life.”
The stars are not the only ones supporting Macmillan. Retailer Marks & Spencer is celebrating 10 years in partnership with Macmillan as its headline partner of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
Over the past 10 years, M&S has raised £16.3m for Macmillan, whose income is almost entirely reliant on the generosity of public donations.
Marks and Spencer are supporting this year’s event by introducing more products into its Macmillan Coffee Morning range than ever before, as well as launching Walls of Support across its UK high street and retail park stores.
Mug-shaped cards will be available to purchase from check-outs for £1 throughout September, with customers encouraged to share their stories or write a message of support and “Raise a Mug” on the wall.
And 10 per cent from sales of each of the Macmillan Coffee Morning products will be donated to the cancer charity.
Adam Nash, senior partnerships manager at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating this milestone anniversary with M&S Food and having it marked with the brandnew Wall of Support. It’s great to see Colin the Caterpillar is having a Macmillan makeover again and donning his purple and green sprinkles in aid of the coffee morning. All the money raised by M&S staff and customers goes towards funding Macmillan professionals to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.”
To host your own coffee morning or to find one near you visit: www.macmillan.org.uk/ coffee