A BIG lunch was enjoyed at a Basingstoke church by people taking part in a national event designed to bring the community together.

About 50 people attended the Big Lunch at the United Reformed Church, in London Street, where they tucked in to an appetising spread while raising money for Basingstoke cancer support charity The Pink Place, through a raffle.

The Big Lunch saw an estimated four million people across the UK sit down together for lunch with neighbours they may not have previously known.

The event was part of Halifax’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan.

Catherine Duffin, who helped to organise the Basingstoke Big Lunch and who works as a customer adviser at Halifax Basingstoke, said: “We had a vote in the branch over who to help with the Big Lunch, and the staff decided The Pink Place was a worthy cause.

“We had lots of pink – pink cupcakes, pink food.

“Cancer touches so many people, and everyone was keen to pitch in.

“It’s great to be able to give something back to people who are helping others on a day-to-day basis.”

The event raised £105 for The Pink Place.