A woman who lost both her parents to cancer is urging people to join the world's biggest coffee morning to raise cash for the nurses that supported her and her family.

Andrea Hobson was left devastated after her mum Mary, 65, lost her battle against lung cancer ten years ago.

And a second blow came six years later when her dad, Arthur, 74, was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mrs Hobson said: "My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer and it was a case of going to the hospital and being told that it was terminal and being left to deal with it.

"You are left in shock and do not know what to do with it.

"But we had a really good GP at the time who told us about Macmillan nurses and they really helped us through."

Macmillan Cancer Support works to improve the lives of people affected by cancer by providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support and pushing for better cancer care.

Mrs Hobson, who is an only child, said: "They dealt with everything, medical issues, emotional, financial.

"Miranda, the nurse, stayed with us throughout and even after mum died. I was pregnant at the time and found it very difficult.

"If Miranda had not been there I don't know how I would have got through it."

The mother-of-two turned to Macmillan again after her father's diagnosis.

She said: "He would not accept any help because he said he didn't have cancer. It was a total nightmare for me.

"I just felt as if I could not cope with anything, so I phoned Miranda. Unfortunately it was too late to help my dad, but she really supported me."

Mrs Hobson, of Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, is holding a coffee morning as part of Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, September 29.

She said: "So many people are affected by cancer and everybody I speak to knows someone who has experienced it themselves.

"I want to support Macmillan because when you are given that news you do not know what to do, and they are there to support you right the way through."

Schools, businesses and individuals across the district are joining in the event.

The charity's community fundraiser Rose Tipton said: "145 coffee mornings have registered in Bradford alone.

"It is one of the easiest ways to raise money because almost everyone has a hot drink at some point during the day."

To take part visit www.macmillan.

org.uk/coffee or call the hotline on 0845 602 1246.

e-mail: saima.mir@bradford.newsquest.co.uk