AN annual coffee morning which has raised thousands of pounds and seen celebrities drawn to Chard will go ahead despite the lockdown.

However, the 2020 event will be held virtually with people encouraged to take part by sharing photos on Facebook.

The coffee morning is organised each year by the Warren family, who raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of their dad, Guy.

In 2018 they raised £896.51 and in 2019, which marked the 10th anniversary of his passing, they raised £2,752.30.

Kenndrah Warren, one of Guy’s five children, said: “Many people of Chard may have attended our many Macmillan coffee mornings, held by my family and I in the Guildhall.

“Last year we very extremely lucky to have celebrity guest Martin Clunes at our event, and we raised just under £3,000.

“This year, however, we are extremely disappointed that we are unable to hold our event in the same way, due to the current situation, but fully understand why.

“Therefore, this year we are holding a Virtual Macmillan Coffee Morning in memory of my dad.”

All you must do to get involved is share a photo on the event’s Facebook page, and follow their link to donate.

Kenndrah added: “We hope that people would like to support this event, and those who have been lost or are suffering, by posting a photo of yourself enjoying tea and cake - or just your tea and cake - to our facebook page, between Friday, September 25 and Sunday, September 27.”

Edible prizes are going to be awarded for the best photos in different categories. These are: fancy dress, pet enjoying tea and cake, most unusual place, best mug, fanciest cake, and best dressed table.

“If you are able to make a donation to Macmillan through the link on our Facebook page, however big or small, we would be eternally grateful, as would many others who have suffered, or are suffering,” said Kenndrah.

“My Dad’s last 19 days, after diagnosis, would not have been as comfortable as they were, surrounded by the people he loved, had it not been for the incredible work of the amazing charity that is Macmillan.”

Guy and his wife Trudi had been together since they were teenagers, and they were married for 29 years. Guy worked milking cows and had a very successful job as an agricultural land specialist.

He had five children, as well as 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He died of cancer at home aged 49.

For more information, visit the Facebook page for ‘Virtual Macmillan Coffee Morning in memory of my Dad, Guy Warren’.