Calderdale woman's fighting cancer with canines and hot coffee

A woman from Halifax who was restricted by the pandemic has been able to raise cash for a cancer chairty in a creative way.
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Gabrielle ‘Gabs’ Butterfield, 60, from Lightcliffe in Halifax could not hold her usual Macmillan Coffee Morning, so decided to improvise and get some four-legged friends involved.

Ms Butterfield lives on a popular dog walking route in Lightcliffe and decided to hold a Doggy Coffee Morning, supplying dog treats to raise much needed funds for Macmillan,

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She said: “I couldn’t hold my usual coffee morning for Macmillan because of the local restrictions, but I still wanted to do something for the charity.

Gabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and OscarGabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and Oscar
Gabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and Oscar

“I don’t have a dog myself but love seeing everyone walking past, I thought it would be a great way to get the community involved.”

She hosted her ‘doggy coffee morning’ over the first weekend of October and raised an incredible £400 for Macmillan.

“Word soon got around and over the weekend more and more dog walkers and their four-legged friends were showing up,” said Ms Butterfield.

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“I loved every minute of it, I sat outside chatted to people and got to meet loads of lovely dogs.

Gabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and OscarGabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and Oscar
Gabrielle Butterfield, of Lightcliffe, has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Trust. Pitured with Graham Leighton, Barker, Robert Hill and Oscar

“I raised £180 from dog treats and decided to double the amount myself to £400.

“As a family we were supported by Macmillan earlier this year when my mother in law sadly passed away from cancer.

“Macmillan do such a wonderful job and I wanted to give something back for the support we got, they need the money now more than ever.”

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Adele Burrough, Macmillan Fundraising Manager for West Yorkshire, said: “I loved meeting Gabs when I was out walking my dog earlier this month.

“It was a fabulous idea and Gabs shows that with a bit of creativity we can all do our bit for charity in a safe way.

“Times are tough at the moment for everyone especially those that are living with cancer so it was so great to see Gabs going above and beyond to help and support Macmillan.”

Macmillan Cancer Support are currently running an emergency appeal. This is due to the charity experiencing a huge drop in charitable donations this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If you would like to donate visit: macmillan.org.uk/emergency.

Alternatively, donaters can contact: 0300 1000 200.