Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Brew up a storm for Macmillan
Monklands residents are being asked to show their support for the annual world’s biggest coffee morning by taking part in socially- distanced style – as cancer charity Macmillan says it fears an alarming 75 per cent drop in income from its flagship fundraiser.
North Lanarkshire participants raised £144,500 through last September’s events, funding services including Macmillan nurses and grants for patients; but figures indicate that just a quarter of those who took part in the west of Scotland in 2019 plan to do so again this year.
Fundraisers want to remind supporters that the coffee morning events are still going ahead, although now in distanced or virtual formats, and say: “We’ve never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.”
The reduction in participation across the west of Scotland is even greater than Macmillan’s national fall in sign-ups of 68 per cent – with the charity fearing that last year’s £27.5m coffee morning proceeds will fall to a decade-low of less than £8m this year.
Craig Tobin, who manages Macmillan’s projects across Lanarkshire, said: “We’re concerned that the current situation may affect future service provision across Lanarkshire.
“Fundraising events like the coffee morning raise vital funds that go towards projects like ours, enabling us to support people affected by cancer close to their own homes, and in their own communities. We hear time and time again that local access to services is important – if you can support a coffee morning in any way, please do.”
Macmillan head of services Janice Preston said: “We’re facing the hardest year in our 109-year history.
“There’s 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.
“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 – and worryingly, this increased need would come at a time when our fundraised income has dropped significantly.”
The charity says a £ 20m national shortfall in coffee morning income amounts to nine per cent of their income and represents more than 80,000 cancer patients missing out on support from a Macmillan nurse or the cost of running its entire support line for three years.
Janice added: “While coffee mornings can’t take place in exactly the same way as before this year, there are still lots of ways to get involved.”
Macmillan is suggesting that supporters hold a socially-distanced event, such as at their doorstep or garden or host their coffee morning virtually; or alternatively, take up a new “coffee morning challenge” such as tackling a run, walk or cycle to raise money.
Lanarkshire volunteer Mary Cooke will be holding her own event for the first time, saying: “I know how much Macmillan’s services are needed by people going through and living with cancer.
“I’ve never hosted my own coffee morning before; this year, I know the charity needs funding more than ever and when I spotted the suggestion of a virtual coffee morning I thought, ‘I can do that’.
“The Macmillan team were really helpful and set up a page for me where people can RSVP and donate at the same time.
“I plan to invite friends in various chat groups to share a photo drinking their coffee or cocktail and maybe add in a recipe, and I’m also hoping to raffle off a knitted elephant and entering all those donating into the draw.”
This year’s coffee mornings mark the 30th anniversary of the charity’s annual fundraiser; the official event date is Friday, September 25, but supporters are encouraged to hold theirs whenever suits.
Visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk or call 0330 102 7810 to sign up.