Macmillan Cancer Support charity’s appeal over coffee morning fears

A cancer charity says it has never needed the support of people in Lincolnshire more, as new figures reveal an expected 74 per cent drop in income in the county from its flagship fundraising event.
Macmillan Coffee Morning events are going ahead in 2020, the charity wishes to stress.Macmillan Coffee Morning events are going ahead in 2020, the charity wishes to stress.
Macmillan Coffee Morning events are going ahead in 2020, the charity wishes to stress.

Last year, people in Lincolnshire raised £293,600 for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in one of its coffee morning events.

This year, however, the number of people planning to hold a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the county has fallen by 74 per cent, leading the charity to worry there will be an equivalent fall in money raised.

The charity fears its supporters do not realise the event is still going ahead – albeit in a modified format – and is urging people to find out about the new ways to take part.

Ruth Willis, partnership manager for Lincolnshire, 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.”

She continued: “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: through a socially distanced event or a virtual one; by taking part in a run, walk or cycle as an alternative in the first-ever Coffee Morning Challenge; or sharing a picture of themselves raising a mug and then making a donation.

To sign up, visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk

Matt Taylor, manager of The Ploughman’s Barn at Leasingham’s Manor Farm Shop, said they are having a Macmillan coffee morning on Friday, September 25, from 9-11am.

“We are going to be supplying home-made tray bakes from Jayne’s Home Bakes, of Ancaster. There will gluten free tray bakes from J and J Southern’s of Ruskington. We will also do tea and coffee with beans from Stokes of Lincoln, freshly ground. All we ask for is a donation towards the tea, coffee and cake for Macmillan.

“We have decided to hold the event because of the wonderful treatment a family member received when they had a stage four lymphoma.”

○ Mrs Smiths Cottage heritage attraction in Navenby will be holding a coffee morning for Macmillan on Saturday, September 26, from⋅10am until 4pm.