Good afternoon everyone. Today we’ve got renowned actress Lynda Bellingham live in the studio for a chat about her involvement in Macmillan’s charity.

Our first question comes from Tom who wants to know:

What inspired you to become involved with a charity and why this one in particular?0

Lynda said:

I had a cousin who was a Macmillan nurse who sadly died of cancer a couple of years ago. Over the last 4 - 5 years I have been involved with the World's Biggest Coffee Morning and the people that I work with at Macmillan Cancer Relief are such nice folk I have been encouraged to stay with the charity.

Hannah wants to know:

Who came up with the idea of having the world's biggest coffee morning?

Lynda said:

It was a fundraiser based in London who had the idea of doing a coffee morning on the same day in her area and Macmillan recognised the opportunity when they saw it. Over the past 15 years it's grown into the largest event of its kind and holds the Guinness World Record for largest simultaneous coffee morning.

Jess wants to know:

When is it and what happens?

Lynda said:

It's on Friday 30th September and basically it's all over the country. It can be in your kitchen, your garden and the office, anywhere where you would like to have a coffee morning. I have suggested to some young mums that maybe their small children have got a doll’s tea set and their children can pass on some small cups of water and raise some money. Basically it's entirely up to the individual as to how big or how small they want their coffee morning to be. It also is a purely individual decision as to how expensive or not your cup of coffee is. There is nothing wrong with instant!!

Katie asks:

Do I need to raise a certain amount of money for the coffee morning?

Lynda said:

Not at all, the great thing about the World's Biggest Coffee Morning is any amount no matter how small or large is welcome. Every cup of coffee counts. For instance £9 pays for a person to be helped by the Macmillan Cancer line or £103 would pay for a Macmillan nurse for a day.

Talking of money, Kelly wants to know:

How much money does Macmillan hope to raise this year?

Lynda Bellingham said:

Last year we raised £5.3 million and this year we are hoping to raise £5.8 million. Over the last 15 years the World's Biggest Coffee Morning has raised £30 million for people living with cancer.

Kerry wants to know:

If I don't want to organise one myself but would like to join in somebody else’s, where can I find out what local coffee mornings are happening near me?

Lynda said:

Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee there you can have a look at public coffee mornings near you or you can bribe a friend to hold a coffee morning for you!

Ben wants to know:

Where do I send donations raised for Macmillan? Are there local centres or offices I can take the money to?

Lynda said:

You can make a donation using your credit/debit card on www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee If you are holding a coffee morning you can take your personalised paying in slip (which is found in your coffee morning pack) to any branch of Lloyds TSB or Bank of Ireland. Or, you can make your cheque payable to Macmillan Cancer Relief and send it to The World's Biggest Coffee Morning, Freepost RG172 Bracknell RG12 1ZX

Pete wants to know more about the work of Macmillan Cancer Relief, he asks:

What services does Macmillan offer to cancer sufferers and what exactly would any money raised go towards?

Lynda said:

Macmillan provides care and support for people living with cancer from the point of suspected diagnosis onwards. The charity offers a range of cancer care services including Macmillan nurses and other health professionals, information and support services, grants and money advice, cancer care centres and self help and support services. Money raised would help fund these vital services.

Kev asks:

What’s the difference between Macmillan Cancer Relief and Cancer Research UK? Will any money raised go to both or just Macmillan Cancer Relief?

Lynda said:

Cancer Research purely do medical and scientific research. Macmillan Cancer Relief are unique in that they offer emotional and expert care on a one to one basis from the point of suspected diagnosis.

Jason wants to know:

Can you be referred to Macmillan for home help or treatment by your GP or is it just best to approach Macmillan independently?

Lynda said:

You can access by your GP or consultant. If you want more in formation about cancer and cancer services you can call the Macmillan Cancerline on freephone 0808 808 2020

Dave wants to know:

My Grandpa suffers from lung cancer and my mum has been considering getting some home help for him - he lives with us but it's very hard work for her to be there with him all the time. Obviously she wants him to have the best care and is worrying about what to do. Is there someone at Macmillan that she could get some advice from about getting some sort of home help for him? Also, he lives with us, so would that make a difference to the type of help he's be allowed?

Lynda said:

My friends at Macmillan tell me that the best thing for you to do is call Macmillan Cancerline on 0808 808 2020 or you can email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk for advice. May I say, my thoughts are with you and your family, good luck and lots of love.

Sue wants to know:

Are Macmillan nurses specifically trained in the care of cancer patients? If they are then what extra training do they go through to ensure they can cover all the treatments needed?

Lynda Bellingham said:

Macmillan nurses are specifically highly trained in their chosen field. The great thing about Macmillan is that once you are a Macmillan nurse you're continually updated in all aspects of cancer care but it is also their ability to care on a one to one basis with their patients that makes them so special.

M. Payne asks:

How long have you been a supporter of Macmillan and what's the most original fundraising idea you've seen?

Lynda said:

I have been a supporter of Macmillan for the last five years. Probably the most inspiring idea was the Moonwalk where women walked in their bras! Fortunately the World's Biggest Coffee Morning is also a wonderful fundraiser without having to bare anything!!

Grant Bingham has a couple of questions for Lynda:

How does it feel to be involved with something that has such a huge impact?

Lynda said:

I feel very proud to be part of this campaign considering that in one morning 1.5 million people last year raised £5.3 million.

And Grant also wants to know:

If you could choose to have coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be?

Lynda said:

Oh blimey! Who would it be? Um, dead or alive? Alive would be the Dalai Lama. Dead, William Shakespeare.

Bob also wants to know:

What's your favourite type of coffee?

Lynda Bellingham said:

If you mean what bean, Blue mountain, if you mean what cup, double espresso with a brandy on the side!

Oxo wants to know:

Are you having or going to a coffee morning Lynda?

Lynda said:

Yes, I am hoping to go to one or two on the day. Possibly join Sandi Toksvig at LBC and then on to a Macmillan surprise.

Lucy wants to know:

Sounds like a laugh, how can I get involved?

Lynda said:

Depending on your friends and how adventurous you are, anything goes. To get your fundraising pack log on to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or ring 0845 602 1246. Remember you can hold a coffee morning anywhere as long as you have got coffee; feel free to add cakes, muffins or biscuits.

Ruby wants to know:

Hi Lynda, I was just wondering what inspired you to become an actress and if you think it helps charities when celebs become involved?

Lynda said:

It came from out of space. It's all I've ever wanted to do. I think celebrities can be of benefit to charities if used sparingly. I personally think it's important that the celebrity involved has a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the charity they are supporting. Sometimes it is difficult when a charity uses too many different names at one event. For instance, it may not be appropriate to have myself and a footballer and Jordan at the same event. I know my place and wouldn't get a look in!!

Jackie wants to know:

Do you miss your OXO family and would they have held a coffee morning?

Lynda said:

I miss the actors who made up the OXO family and yes I think probably the daughter Alison would have bullied her mother in to inviting her entire class from school.

KarenB wants to know:

Are you a cake, muffin or biscuit person?

Lynda said:

I actually love them all. I have always baked when I am out of work and taught my sons to do likewise. We make a mean chocolate brownie.

Helen asks:

Is it too late to get involved for this year?

Lynda said:

It's never too late to start. In fact in my opinion it's often better done on the spur of the moment. Think of people or neighbours you haven't seen in a while and ring them now. Then decide how you want to serve the coffee. Call the Macmillan hotline for your fundraising pack 0845 602 1246 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee Good luck to everyone on Friday 30th September. Let's make it the best ever coffee morning!