“DRINK, dunk, donate and snap it!”

That’s the message from Hampshire charity The Haven in Wessex, which is urging everyone to get involved by taking a selfie ahead of the county’s £1 Million Tea Party to help thousands battling breast cancer.

The big tea party takes place from February 9 to February 16 when everyone from schoolchildren to pensioners will come together for a cuppa and cake to raise the funds needed to open a free breast cancer support centre, currently being built in Titchfield.

But already dozens of people, including Hampshire models Emma Brooks and Tai Stanley have showed those living with cancer they are not alone by photographing themselves with a tea cup complete with their text message donation before posting on social networking sites.

Emma, a model and professional horse rider, who lives in Swanwick, near Titchfield, said: “This is a particularly poignant social media campaign because everyone knows somebody affected by cancer and it allows us to make a difference on a local level to really help the community we live in.

“There are no excuses!

It encompasses our two great British attributes – our passion for caring and giving back to worthwhile causes like The Haven along with our love of a good cuppa!”

Anyone who has been affected by breast cancer will be able to self-refer to the specialist centre The Haven when it opens this autumn. They will be able to talk to experts about everything from financial worries to nutrition, receive a tailor- made programme of complementary therapies such as yoga and acupuncture and meet others battling cancer.

Heidi Rehman, community fundraiser for The Haven, who has survived breast cancer twice, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support so far and that so many people are getting in the spirit of our £1 Million Tea Party by sending selfies.

“Having had breast cancer just knowing you are not alone means so much.

“My personal experience following diagnosis was of immense shock and fear.

“The emotional trauma and surgery took time to process and some days it was difficult to cope.

“I know how much it would have helped me to come to terms with if I had been able to access somewhere like The Haven, which is called The Haven for a reason. It is a sanctuary and will be a bubble of calm, positivity, warmth, understanding and hope.

“So wherever you might be having a cuppa take a picture and text your donation across to help us open as soon as possible.”

Anyone fancy a cuppa?

JOIN in and take a selfie of you enjoying a cuppa and donate £3 to The Haven by texting WSXT15£3 to 70070 with the hashtag #MillionTeaParty

TO find out more about hosting a tea party go to thehaven.org.uk/millionteaparty.

WILL you be joining in? Let us know what you are doing and why!

Email tara.russell@ dailyecho.co.uk or call 023 80424 711.