CHARITY fundraisers are gearing up for this year’s effort to boost the coffers of cancer support service Macmillan – and some have started already.

Flora South (18), who lives in Sheet, already has taken the charity’s Brave the Shave challenge by having her shoulder-length hair cut on stage during the final event of Madhurst, the Midhurst community event of which her late grandmother, Trina Duncan, was a major organiser.

Flora’s mother, Emma, said her daughter had always been aware of the consequences of cancer and the work of Macmillan nurses and she was delighted to have raised £600, which was double her target, on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Flora works as a qualified teaching assistant at Steep Primary and Petersfield Infant schools.

Also planning to Brave the Shave is Laura Bibb, whose haircut will be part of a Macmillan coffee and cake morning at Petersfield Social Club in Station Road next Friday, September 25, from 10am to 12.30pm.

She is one of five Petersfield mothers who met after having their first children in 2010 but last month one of the women died from cancer – now her friends are rallying to raise funds.

One of the organisers, Lisa Cook, said: “Macmillan supported our friend and her daughter so much through it all that we wanted to give something back.”

Laura’s head shave will be at 11am, followed by children’s entertainers David and Katie who will be giving a free show to aid the cause.

On the same day, from 10am to 3pm, High Street solicitors Mackarness and Lunt will be offering coffee and cake to everyone.

On Thursday, September 17, a coffee afternoon with stalls is being organised by Fitzroy’s On Track scheme at its Hylton Road headquarters for Macmillan. The event, which runs from 1-3pm, will include bric-a-brac and a raffle as well as refreshments.

Are you running a Macmillan coffee morning on September 25? Email [email protected] or [email protected]