I would like to appeal to constituents to support Macmillan’s coffee morning today at a time when the charity’s fundraising efforts have been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis.
The charity fundraiser, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, would normally receive millions of pounds of donations every year to help support people affected by cancer. Every 90 seconds someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. The money raised helps fund Macmillan services such as the 6,400 famous Macmillan Nurses or their free support line which makes sure people with cancer can get the physical, emotional and financial support they need. However, owing to the pandemic, the event is facing a staggering 71% income drop of £20 million which equates to the cost of more than 350 Macmillan specialist cancer nurses in England for a full year. A fundraising fall of this magnitude could risk more than 80,000 cancer patients missing out on support from a Macmillan nurse next year.
The Macmillan nurses are wonderful offering personal, one-to-one care and support to people In Thirsk and Malton and elsewhere who are living with cancer and to their loved ones. That’s why I am raising a mug and supporting the coffee morning. Like so many other things at the moment, coronavirus is presenting a huge challenge to charities like Macmillan and it is having a worrying impact on the amount of money that is being raised. I’m proud to raise a mug today to support the event, to encourage donations and help let people know that the coffee morning is still going ahead, albeit virtually in some cases. There couldn’t be an easier way to raise money for people with cancer who, in the current crisis, need the support of their local communities more than ever before.
Steven McIntosh, Head of Policy, Campaigns and Influencing at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “Between the disruption caused to diagnosis and treatment and the fear of increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, there has never been a more worrying time in recent history to receive a cancer diagnosis. At Macmillan we are determined to be there for everyone affected by cancer, but it is safe to say we are facing the hardest year in our 109-year history. The demand for our services and support is huge and this comes at a time when we are experiencing a dramatic and sustained drop in our income, 98% of which comes from events like our coffee morning. It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.”
Macmillan is encouraging people to take part however suits them, from having a socially distanced Coffee Morning, safely in groups up to 6, to setting up a virtual Coffee Morning online.
Those who prefer to take part in more active fundraising events can also sign up for the first ever Coffee Morning Challenge, tackling a run, walk or cycle to raise cash. Whilst others are taking to social media and raising a mug for people living with cancer, while making a donation and using the hashtag #raiseamug.
However you choose to support Macmillan Coffee Morning, you can visit https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk for hosting ideas, games and baking inspiration.
