Thousands of people put the kettle on on Friday to raise a mug - and some money - for a cancer charity.Around the country people shared personal stories of survival and sadness over a cup of tea in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thousands of people put the kettle on on Friday to raise a mug - and some money - for a cancer charity.

Around the country people shared personal stories of survival and sadness over a cup of tea in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

In Wymondham a whole street turned out to help raise money, selling home-made cakes, biscuits and sausage rolls alongside tea and coffee in a gazebo.

The event was led by Maria Hewkin, herself a survivor of breast cancer and founder of charity Keeping Abreast.

Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, when she was 37, after which she had a partial mastectomy.

She then had a full mastectomy and reconstructive work done this year after finding another (benign) lump. "I sat down with my surgeon and asked him what the options were. He said I could carry on finding little lumps and cysts, or I could have them off," she added.

Keeping Abreast run help groups and support events for women.

Maria said: "You need fantastic support from friends and family. I see women who are trying to do it on their own, and you can't. You need support."

Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman formally opened a coffee morning held at Yaxley village hall, taking the time to praise Macmillan staff for their hard work and dedication.

Mr Wakeman's mother died of cancer fifteen years ago, and was treated by nurses from Macmillan in her last months.

Macmillan were hoping to beat last year's fundraising total of �4.5m nationally, with around 4,000 events hosted across the country.

Supporters in Norfolk held more than 800 events, and fundraisers were hoping to top last year's �158,000 total, though final figures will not be known for some time.