MINEHEAD Round Table is entering into the Christmas spirit and planning a series of weekly 'presents' to local causes.

The Twelve Weeks to Christmas campaign was launched with the presentation of £400 to Macmillan Cancer Relief on Tuesday.

Almost half the donation was raised at a World's Biggest Coffee Morning event on Friday and topped up by the Round Table.

Chairman Geoff Fowler said: "There are 12 weeks until Christmas and we thought it appropriate to make donations to worthy causes while taking the carol as a theme.

"Each week, we will select a good cause or a charity - and we need to hear from those who would like to receive a donation."

Macmillan Cancer Relief cares for thousands of people each year and has a network of over 2,000 specially trained nurses and 310 cancer doctors.

In partnership with the NHS and other charities, it supports 85 cancer care centres.

And the charity's 'Voice for Life' campaign is striving to enable cancer patients, their friends and relatives to make their views heard.

Feedback to Macmillan Cancer Relief has shown that patients feel more in control of what is happening to them when they have 'a voice' and their physical, emotional and social needs are met.

Friday's fundraising event was sponsored by coffee merchants D J Miles and Co and the cheque was presented to Macmillan fundraising committee member George Carter, pictured on the left.

Also pictured are, from the left, Round Table vice-chairman Dan Searle, Dorothy Redd, treasurer Lawrence Randall and Mr Fowler.

Local organisations, appeal committees and others interested in a 12 Weeks of Christmas donation should contact Mr Fowler at Sign It, Central House, Summerland Place, Minehead TA24 5BT or on 01643 703130.

Photo: Steve Guscott.