Fight cancer with coffee
A leading cancer charity is urging people across West Lothian not to let anything stop them taking part in the 30th anniversary of its biggest fundraising event.
In September 1990, Margaret Thatcher was still running the UK, Maria McKee was top of the charts, Scotland beat England at rugby and the first ever Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning was held.
Since then, every year thousands of people have tucked into cakes and enjoyed a cuppa with pals, neighbours and strangers, raising millions of pounds to fund support services for people with cancer.
This year Covid- 19 may mean people can’t pack into houses, village halls or community centres in the same way they have before, but Macmillan is urging people not to let that stop them taking part either virtually or through socially distanced events.
Macmillan’s fundraising m a n a g e r, Angela McCormack, said: “We had big plans for the 30th anniversary and while we’ve had to adapt, we’re determined that nothing will stop the Macmillan Coffee Morning going ahead.
“Many people with cancer are more in need of help than ever before as they try to cope with not just cancer, but the additional stresses coronavirus has caused.
“Macmillan has been doing everything we can to support people but while demand for our services is greater than ever, due to coronavirus, we are facing a significant drop in our income.
“While lots of face-to-face fundraising events have had to be cancelled, the strength of our coffee morning is that there’s no set way of taking part.
“Maybe last year you had 50 of your closest friends pack into your house for coffee and cakes. This year why not get them together online instead, or challenge each other to a week-long sponsored baking competition?
“While Covid means we can’t do things the same way as before, we’re determined not to let it stop the 30th year of coffee morning and we hope people across West
Lothian will join us.”
Macmillan has been supporting people with cancer throughout the pandemic. As well as ensuring its support line stayed open, even as lockdown hit, the charity has set up a new Telephone Buddies service for those facing isolation.
The charity upgraded its online community, a space where people with cancer and their loved ones get together at any time of the day or night to talk about their experiences and support each other.
Macmillan’s communitybased services, from benefits advice to emotional support, have also continued to support people, moving from face-to-face to online or over the phone.
The official Macmillan Coffee Morning is on Friday, September 25, but supporters are encouraged to hold their coffee morning whenever suits them, being sure to do it safely, following all government guidance.
People can also support the charity by buying a limited edition selection of Macmillan products in M&S food halls.