Capital causes stir as it offers backing to cancer charity’s big coffee morning

The charity has been running the annual event for 22 years – raising more than £10 million in 2011 – but was hoping to eclipse previous events this time round.

Macmillan Cancer Support set a target to raise £10.7m to fund much-needed Macmillan therapists, nurses and support line workers.

The people of Edinburgh did not disappoint as more than 35 coffee mornings were held at venues across the city.

Top city chef Tom Kitchin visited Leith Primary School as part of the fundraising drive, teaching pupils how to create a delicious carrot cake to go with the litres of tea that were ultimately consumed.

Meanwhile, the city centre stylists at the Regis Hair Salon in Jenners got into the charitable spirit with a chat over a cuppa and a sweet treat.

Shoppers at Emma Bridgewater Pottery didn’t have to look very far for their next round of tea as staff were fully equipped to offer light  refreshment.

Across at Inverleith, staff at A&A Studios, a hair replacement centre, displayed delicious cupcakes and tray bakes, while just round the corner employees at the Royal Botanic Garden provided their own sweet treats for all to enjoy.

At Duddingston Primary, pupils couldn’t wait to tuck in to the cakes on offer.

Visitors were also treated to quite a spread at Braid Veterinary Hospital in Craigmillar yesterday, with little Axel Finnie tucking into one of the tasty homemade cakes.

The national campaign boasted celebrity ambassadors Alesha Dixon, Stephen Fry, Sir Ian McKellen, Dermot O’Leary, Joanna Lumley, Janet Jackson and Amanda Holden.