Fundraising efforts could help charity

Dear Editor May I take this opportunity to wish you and your readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thank everyone who so generously supported Cancer Support Scotland during 2017.

Thanks to them we have been able to help more people than ever before and I would like to appeal to them to continue supporting us throughout next year.

In the last 12 months alone, we have gone from supporting 1100 people to more than 1600 and we have delivered more than 5500 appointments for our free counselling and complementary therapies.

Demand for our services is rising month by month and for 2018 we must raise more than £600,000 so we can maintain and increase our services to those who need them.

In response to the continually rising demand, we expanded our services in Glasgow and West Lothian and opened new outreach centres in Johnstone and Edinburgh in partnership with other organisations. A further outreach centre in Edinburgh will open in January.

All our services are provided free and we receive no government or lottery funding so we rely on the generosity of people like your readers.

I would like to encourage them to help us by volunteering or taking part in some of our fundraising events. For example, they could feel the exhilaration of our 150 feet adrenalin drop, enjoy a night at our Battle of the Bands or get fit by running in events like the Great Scottish Run or walk with us up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.

At this time of year, many companies will be choosing their ‘charity of the year’ for 2018 and I urge them to consider supporting Cancer Support Scotland.

We can help individuals and companies all the way from posters to fundraising packs. Just contact us and we will be delighted to support you.

Please call 0141 337 8199 or go online to www. cancersupportscotland. org and turn your good intentions into reality.

Have a great Christmas and a healthy New Year. Colin Graham Chief Executive Cancer Support Scotland