Cancer charity needs your support

Macmillan Cancer Support has issued a plea for support to Mid and East Antrim as its biggest fundraising event faces a staggering drop in income

The cancer charity says it’s never needed the support of people in Mid and East Antrim more, as new figures reveal an expected 76% drop in income from its flagship fundraising event.

Last year people in the Mid and East Antrim area raised £64,200 by taking part in a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning, to fund its vital services including Macmillan nurses and patient grants. This year, figures show the number of people planning to hold a Coffee Morning across Northern Ireland has fallen by a staggering 76% leading to the charity worrying there will be an equivalent fall in money raised.

The picture is similar across the UK, with early figures showing sign-ups are down by around two-thirds (68%). The £27.5m raised in 2019 is expected to fall to under £8m this year - the lowest amount Coffee Morning will have raised in 11 years. The charity 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.

Jan Forrest, Head of Fundraising for Macmillan in Northern Ireland and Scotland 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.

Macmillan is encouraging people in the Mid and East Antrim area 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.