A GRADUATE who lost her stepdad to cancer has put her job hunt on hold to help the charity who supported him in his final days raise £8million in one day.

Nicola Cochran has shelved the hunt for her perfect job to volunteer full time for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 22-year-old's stepdad died just weeks before her final university exams.

And now she's determined to make Macmillan's flagship fundraising event, the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, a huge success.

Nicola took up a three-month fundraising internship to thank the organisation for the support it gave her stepfather Alan Wilson before he died from cancer.

Macmillan hopes to raise more than £250,000 from this Friday's event in the west of Scotland alone and £8m UK wide.

And Glasgow University English Literature graduate Nicola is determined to help the charity hit its target.

Nicola said: "Macmillan was an amazing source of support for my family.

"Our Macmillan nurse gave us emotional support and financial advice; she was even there for us after Alan died.

"I know I should probably be trying to get a job before all the other graduates snap them up, but when I heard about the internship with Macmillan I knew I had to go for it.

"I just want to help make sure other families can get the same support when they need it."

Nicola's stepfather Alan was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in March 2006.

However after going through chemotherapy, an operation to remove the tumour and radiotherapy, doctors thought the cancer had gone.

But in August 2008 the 52-year-old, originally from Kirkintilloch, was diagnosed with Metastatic Carcinoma.

Alan again began a course of chemotherapy but unfortunately in the November he contracted pneumonia and spent most of December and January in hospital.

The illness left him very weak and in February 2009 it was decided that he shouldn't undergo any more treatment. Alan died in March 2009.

Nicola added: "Alan's illness was hellish for him and for my whole family but Macmillan made things just a bit more tolerable.

"That's why I'm determined to make the World's Biggest Coffee Morning a huge success.

"I'd urge people across Glasgow to sign up for this event."

Nicola is working with Macmillan's Glasgow fundraising manager Rob Cartwright to encourage people to sign up to take part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday.

Last year in the west of Scotland 1202 people registered to hold coffee mornings, raising almost £250,000.

But this year the charity want to raise even more money to fund a range of services, from specialist nurses and doctors to financial advice and practical support.

Rob said: "We're really grateful to Nicola for helping us make the World's Biggest Coffee Morning a success.

"I know she is really passionate about raising money for Macmillan and we've very lucky to have her with us."

To register for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 673 0709. TIMES FILE

MACMILLAN is holding the World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday.

Last year more than 45,000 people across Britain held coffee mornings with 1202 of those in the West of Scotland.

Nearly £250,000 pounds was raised from coffee mornings in the area, with £93,000 donated in Glasgow.

A total of £7.5million was generated across the UK but this year the charity are aiming to smash that amount and raise £8m.

The cash will fund a range of services from specialist nurses and doctors to financial advice and practical support.

Girl group Sugababes are among a host of celebrities urging Scots to get the kettle on for charity at the end of the month. To register for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 673 0709.