MORE than 100 people raised their mugs at a tea, coffee and cake event which collected £1,000 for the Millbrook Suite.

The afternoon event was organised by Maureen Howlett, whose husband, Reg, 83, regularly visited the suite before he died of prostate cancer three years ago.

Mrs Howlett, of Hartlebury, said she wanted to raise money for the appeal as the Millbrook Suite meant a great deal to her.

She added that she was surprised at how many people turned out for the event and was thrilled with the amount of money raised.

“I wanted to do something in aid of the Millbrook Suite so I handed out leaflets for the event to my friends and neighbours.

“I was absolutely amazed by the amount of people that came.

“With the support I had from everybody I was able to make an extraordinary amount of money.”

She added that she made 32 cakes for the event which were enjoyed by all the visitors.

“It was a huge success,” the 74-year-old added, “People were coming and going all day.

“The staff at the Millbrook Suite and Kemp Hospice helped me come to terms with my husband’s illness. I had a great deal of support both before and after his death.”

“I’m delighted to be able to help towards the aim of getting the Millbrook Suite all refurbished and updated.”

A grand sale will be held at Habberley Hall for the Millbrook Appeal next weekend.

There will be clothes, shoes, bric-a-brac, toys and books for sale at the event, in Canterbury Road, next Saturday. It runs from 10.30am until 12.30pm and all money raised will go to the appeal.