Cancer Charity Issues Plea For Support In Scarborough
Macmillan Cancer Support has issued a plea for support from people in Scarborough as its biggest fundraising event faces a drop in income.
A cancer charity has issued a plea for support from people in Scarborough as its biggest fundraising event faces a drop in income.
Macmillan Cancer Support says last year people in Scarborough raised £43,700 by taking part in a coffee morning, to fund its vital services including Macmillan nurses and patient grants.
It says this year, figures show the number of people planning to hold a Coffee Morning across North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and Humberside has fallen by a staggering 70%, leading to the charity worrying there will be an equivalent fall in money raised.
The charity says it fears its supporters don't realise the event is still going ahead - albeit in a new virtual or socially distanced format - and is urging people to find out about the new ways to take part.
Macmillan's Head of Partnerships for the North, Jane Melvin, said:
"There has never been a more terrifying time in recent history to receive a cancer diagnosis with disruption and delays to treatment and fears of increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus.
"A huge 98% of Macmillan's income is from donations and events like Coffee Morning. While Coffee Morning can't take place in exactly the same way as before this year, there are still lots of ways to get involved.
"At Macmillan we're facing a possible tsunami of demand coming towards us this autumn, as the cancer system gets moving again and the backlog of delayed diagnoses begins to be dealt with. Worryingly this increased need for support would come at a time when our fundraised income has dropped significantly.
"We're facing the hardest year in our 109-year history. 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 from their doorstep 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.
Meanwhile social media lovers are being urging people to take a selfie raising a mug for people living with cancer, while making a donation.
To sign up, visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk