Clwyd West MS Darren Millar joined the Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales team at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay yesterday to mark the charity’s annual Coffee Morning fundraising event and is encouraging people in Conwy and Denbighshire to get involved.
The event also offered an opportunity to find out more about how Macmillan in Wales is supporting people living with cancer, as well as research from the charity on how people living with cancer are being affected by the cost of living crisis.
Macmillan’s annual Coffee Morning usually sees millions of pounds donated to help support people affected by cancer.
The money raises vital funds for Macmillan services to make sure people living with cancer can get the physical, emotional and financial support they need.
This is the 32nd annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, but, as with so many charities, Macmillan saw a huge fall in its fundraising income as a direct result of the impact of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.
Speaking about his support for the annual fundraising event, Darren said:
“We know that a cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s world upside down. One in two of us will face cancer, and the money raised by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning will help people with cancer to live their life as fully as they can.
“Macmillan, alongside our NHS and other partners, works tirelessly to do whatever it takes for people with cancer. The demands for Macmillan’s services and support is high, while its income is down.
“I’m very proud to help support Macmillan’s coffee morning, and to help let people know about this important fundraising event. I would encourage anyone to get involved, and to sign up to organise a Coffee Morning or contribute to a local coffee morning in the way that suits them best.”
Richard Pugh, Head of Services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to meet our Members of the Senedd face-to-face again at the Senedd. We would like to offer Darren our heartfelt thanks for their support for our event.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now. Cancer affects people’s whole lives – health, money, family job; everything.
“More than 98% of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations, and thousands of people could miss out on vital care from our nurses, much needed financial support through Macmillan grants, or the ability to access trusted information and support in-person, online or at the end of the telephone without the public's continued support for our Coffee Morning fundraiser.
There is no single or right way to hold a coffee morning – it can be whatever you make it, and it can be held when suits you best. We really hope people will pull out all the stops to do just that.”
Macmillan’s Coffee Morning this year falls on Friday 30 September, but local events can be held throughout the year.
However you choose to host your Macmillan Coffee Morning, you can visit https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk for hosting ideas, games and baking inspiration.
For information or support relating to cancer, call Macmillan’s Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday) or visit www.macmillan.org.uk.