Lancashire coffee morning hosts urged to hold virtual event for Macmillan Cancer Support

The Macmillan Cancer Support charity has issued an urgent appeal to its Lancashire donors - please consider an online coffee morning.
Macmillan Cancer Support  is asking its coffee morning supporters to move their events online or consider other fundraising initiativesMacmillan Cancer Support  is asking its coffee morning supporters to move their events online or consider other fundraising initiatives
Macmillan Cancer Support is asking its coffee morning supporters to move their events online or consider other fundraising initiatives

It is fearful that it will lose much needed funds from the renowned coffee mornings hosted by local residents in aid of the charity.

Last year county residents raised £451,100 by taking part in a Macmillan Cancer Support coffee event.

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But this year, figures show the number of people planning to hold a coffee morning fundraiser across the Lancashire area have fallen by 73%, leading to the charity worrying there will be an equivalent fall in money raised.

Funds go to support services including Macmillan nurses and patient grants.

Jane Melvin, Macmillan’s Head of Partnerships North and North West England, said: “A huge 98% of Macmillan’s income is from donations and events. While (our) Coffee Morning can’t take place in exactly the same way as before this year, there are still lots of ways to get involved. We’re facing the hardest year in our 109-year history.”

She continued: "It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.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.”

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"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."

The charity suggests supporters host a virtual coffee morning.

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.

Social media fans are being urged to take and post a selfie raising a mug for people living with cancer, while making a donation.

For more information see coffee.macmillan.org.uk