Macmillan Coffee Morning: How to Host a Brilliant Charity Fundraiser
Every September, kettles across the UK click on at the same moment for the same reason. Someone has cleared the kitchen table, arranged a plate of slightly lopsided scones, and stuck a poster to the front door. The Macmillan Coffee Morning might be the country's largest single-day fundraiser, but it still begins with a neighbour ringing the bell and asking if the kettle's on.
The tea in this guide: Dark Woods Good Morning Sunshine Coffee 250g from £12.75 Shop it →
The event started in 1990, when a handful of Macmillan nurses asked guests to donate the cost of their drink. By 1991 it had gone national with 2,600 supporters hosting events. Since then it has raised over £310 million for people living with cancer and their families. In 2024 alone, more than 52,000 hosts helped raise £17.1 million. The official day is the last Friday of September, though you can hold yours any time that suits.
Whether you are planning your first charity tea party or your tenth, this guide covers everything from ordering your free kit to choosing drinks and cakes that keep people chatting, donating and coming back next year.
At a glance
- Sign up on the Macmillan website to receive a free fundraising kit with bunting, balloons, posters and a collection box.
- The official day falls on the last Friday of September each year.
- Host at home, work, school or in the community: flexibility is part of the charm.
- Serve tea, coffee and homemade bakes, and encourage donations rather than charging fixed prices.
- Add a raffle, quiz or bake-off to boost your total.
How to sign up and what you get
Registering takes a couple of minutes on the Macmillan Coffee Morning sign-up page. You need to be over 18, or have a parent or guardian register on your behalf. Pick your date, choose your venue type and select whether you want the full kit or the lighter version.
The full kit includes bunting, balloons, a branded tablecloth, a collection box, invite and thank-you posters, games and a Gift Aid form. If you prefer less post, the lite kit keeps the essentials: QR codes for donations, a collection box, posters and games. Both arrive within two to three weeks, depending on how far ahead your event is. If you are hosting within a fortnight, download the digital pack instead.
Coffee morning ideas to make it memorable
The beauty of a charity tea party is that it works in any setting. Kitchen tables, church halls, office break rooms and primary-school playgrounds have all done the job. But the events people talk about afterwards usually have one or two extra touches that lift them beyond a cuppa and a biscuit.
Theme loosely
Macmillan suggests a hygge-style morning (think blankets, candles and cinnamon buns), a vegan spread or a chai afternoon. You could run a pet-friendly garden party, a bake-off competition or a kitchen disco. According to Awareness Days, one host held theirs 100 feet underground at Poldark Mine; another managed it in Antarctica. Ambition is optional.
Offer real choice in the cup
Not everyone drinks coffee. A proper brew of strong breakfast tea keeps the traditionalists happy, while a caffeine-free herbal gives evening hosts or pregnant guests something decent. Consider a single-origin filter coffee for anyone who cares, and a good decaf for those who are cutting down. Small details show thought.
Coffee
Dark Woods Good Morning Sunshine Coffee 250g
A smooth, sweet coffee blend from Dark Woods for the first cup of the day.
Have a lookKeep bakes simple but good
Homemade always wins over shop-bought. A lemon drizzle, a Victoria sponge and a batch of flapjacks cover most tastes without turning your kitchen into a bakery. Label anything containing nuts, gluten or dairy clearly. If you are running low on time, ask a couple of friends to bring something and turn it into a potluck.
Running a tea party fundraiser: a step-by-step plan
- Pick a date and venue. The official day falls on the last Friday of September, but weekends often draw bigger crowds. Confirm your space early.
- Register with Macmillan and order your kit at least three weeks ahead so it arrives in time.
- Spread the word. A poster on the noticeboard, a message in the work group chat and a few texts to neighbours cover most bases. Macmillan provides printable invites.
- Plan your menu. Aim for two or three hot drinks (tea, coffee, decaf or herbal) and three or four bakes. Think about allergies and dietary needs.
- Set up a donation station. The collection box from your kit does the job, but a QR code for contactless giving catches people without cash. Gift Aid boosts donations by 25 per cent if your guests are UK taxpayers.
- Add an extra activity. A raffle with local prizes, a bake-off judging or a simple quiz gives people a reason to stay longer and spend more.
- Thank your guests. A short speech at the end, an email the next day or a quick social post with the total raised keeps the goodwill going.
- Pay in your money. Macmillan's website explains how to submit your total and receive an official thank-you certificate.
Planning a charity coffee morning on a budget
Macmillan's own guidance includes eight tips for hosting a low-cost event. The kit itself is free. Borrow mugs and plates rather than buying disposable ones. Ask guests to bring a bake instead of doing everything yourself. Use the free downloadable decorations rather than spending on shop-bought bunting. If you keep outgoings near zero, almost every penny goes to the cause.
Raffle prizes that actually get people bidding
A decent raffle can double your total. Local businesses often donate prizes if you give them enough notice and explain the cause clearly. Wine, vouchers, hampers and experiences tend to draw the biggest ticket sales. A Bestsellers Tasting Box or Earl Grey Tasting Box makes a letterbox-friendly prize that posts easily if the winner is not local.
Letterbox gift
Five of our best-selling loose leaf teas in one letterbox box, from a malty breakfast brew to a caffeine-free bedtime cup.
Have a lookIf you are asking small shops for donations, include your organisation, event date, location, what you are raising money for and what you are requesting. A clear, friendly email gets a faster answer than a vague 'any support welcome' message.
Common mistakes to avoid
Running out of tea
It sounds obvious, but a busy morning can empty a teapot faster than you expect. Count your guests, estimate two cups each and add a buffer. Loose leaf tea goes further than bags if you are serving large numbers.
Forgetting contactless
Fewer people carry cash now. The QR codes in your kit link to your fundraising page, but test them the day before to make sure they work.
Underselling the cause
A short mention of what Macmillan does, perhaps a personal story if you have one, reminds people why they are there. Nearly 3.5 million people in the UK are living with cancer; the money raised funds nurses, helplines, financial guidance and emotional support.
What about a chai afternoon or vegan coffee morning?
Macmillan actively encourages creative formats. A chai afternoon swaps coffee for spiced tea and pairs it with South Asian sweets. A vegan spread highlights plant-based bakes and dairy-free milk options. Both work brilliantly and can draw guests who might skip a traditional coffee morning.
If you want to serve something a bit different, a Tiramisu blend mixes black tea with cocoa and coffee notes: halfway between a brew and a pudding. Or keep it simple with a good breakfast tea and let the cakes do the talking.
What to try next
If you are stocking up for a charity event, our Dark Woods Good Morning Sunshine Coffee is a smooth, approachable roast that suits a crowd. For tea drinkers, the Breakfast Tea Tasting Box gives you five strong loose leaf options to compare, from a classic English Breakfast to our smoky Huddersfield blend. Looking for raffle prizes? The Caffeine-Free Tasting Box works for evening sippers, and all our tasting boxes are letterbox-friendly.
Not sure where to start? Our Tea Finder quiz matches you to the right leaves in a few clicks.
Letterbox gift
Five strong loose leaf breakfast teas that all take milk, from a smooth English Breakfast to a smoky Huddersfield blend.
Have a lookOrders over £35 get free UK delivery, and we pack orders by hand in Huddersfield. If you are local, call into the shop in Byram Arcade, Huddersfield, and we will help you pick something out.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Macmillan Coffee Morning?
The official day falls on the last Friday of September each year. You can host on any date that works for you, though holding it close to the official day helps with publicity and the sense of a shared national event.
Do I have to serve coffee at a Macmillan Coffee Morning?
No. Tea, chai, hot chocolate and soft drinks all count. The name is a tradition, not a rule. Plenty of hosts run tea parties, chai afternoons or even coffee-free vegan mornings.
How do I get a free Macmillan Coffee Morning kit?
Register on the Macmillan sign-up page, choose your date and venue, and select full or lite kit. It arrives within two to three weeks. If your event is sooner, download the digital pack instead.
Can I host a Coffee Morning at work or school?
Absolutely. Offices, schools and community spaces are all welcome. The sign-up form asks where you are hosting so Macmillan can tailor the kit. Schools may need safeguarding considerations for cash handling.
How much did Macmillan Coffee Morning raise in 2024?
The 2024 event raised £17.1 million, with more than 52,000 people hosting a Coffee Morning. Since 1990, the campaign has raised over £310 million for Macmillan Cancer Support.
What should I include if I ask a local business for a raffle prize?
State your organisation, event date, location, the cause you are supporting and exactly what you are asking for. Give at least a month's notice. A clear, friendly request is far more likely to get a yes.
Sources: Macmillan Coffee Morning · Macmillan sign-up page · Wikipedia · Awareness Days
