Hand delivered morning tea raises funds for Cancer Council SA

Margie Simpson and the volunteers from the Jamestown Cancer Council SA Branch will be hand delivering morning tea to local business and community groups this May, allowing everyone in the community to celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea together.

Margie, who has been involved in hosting morning teas for more than 15 years, said that the group came up with the idea in 2020 as a way to celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea during COVID-19.

“Our morning teas have always been community affairs, with everyone coming together to share a cuppa and a bite to eat to support Cancer Council SA. Last year, we couldn’t host an event like we normally would, so we came up with the idea to deliver morning tea directly to our guests instead,” she said.

“It was a great success – people put in orders and everyone banded together to bake homemade treats, which we then hand delivered. Lots of people in the branch helped out, even people that had never joined us before. It was a lovely day, and everyone was so grateful to receive the deliveries, especially during such a challenging time,” she said.

Last year, the group raised $2,000 through their hand delivered morning tea treats, with Margie and her band of bakers planning to do it all again in 2021.

“All our baked goods are handmade in COVID-safe way – there are cakes, slices, sandwiches, scones, honey crackles – all the favourites. People really love it, it’s a great way for them to host a Biggest Morning Tea without having to worry about the catering.”

“Plus, we get the joy of brightening people’s days through personalised deliveries, which is an added bonus,” she said.

Margie, who has been a part of the Jamestown Branch for a number of years, says that supporting Cancer Council SA is particularly important to her.

“Cancer has always been a part of my life, I’ve seen family affected by cancer and lost my cousin at a really young age.  I originally joined the branch to support friends who had lost partners to cancer, one of whom also sadly lost her life to the disease, so for me it’s about continuing her legacy and raising funds to support future generations,” she said.

“So many people have been impacted by cancer and Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a great way to give back and make a difference.”

Since Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea began in 1994, millions of Australians like Margie have come together over a cuppa and a bite to eat in support of those affected by cancer.

In 2021, the official day to host a morning tea is Thursday, 27 May, however participants can register to host at any time throughout May or June.

By hosting or attending a morning tea anywhere in Australia, you will be helping Cancer Council continue their life-saving cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support programs for people affected by cancer.

Participants are encouraged to host Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea their way – whether it’s at home with friends or family, a simple morning tea in the office with workmates, virtually (COVID-19 style) or a gathering in a local community or at school.

Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Lincoln Size thanked Margie and the Jamestown Branch for their incredible support of the event.

“The generosity of hosts like Margie enables us to continue our work in cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy and support services. We simply couldn’t do the work we do without them.”

This year, Cancer Council hopes to recruit over 30,000 generous morning tea hosts and raise over $13 million nationally to help everyone affected by cancer right across Australia. All donations fund Cancer Council’s life-saving research, prevention, programs, advocacy and support services.

For more information on Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, or to register to host your own event visit the Biggest Morning Tea website or call Cancer Council SA on 1300 65 65 85.

If want to put in a Morning Tea order with the Jamestown Branch, you can contact Margie direct on 0418 839 901 or send an email.  Orders can be placed until Friday 21 May, with morning tea deliveries on Friday 28 May.