Falkirk people urged to hold a Macmillan coffee morning

That’s the plea from Macmillan Cancer Support who says it has never needed the support of people in Falkirk more.

New figures reveal that thee will be an expected 74 per cent drop in income from its flagship Macmillan Coffee Morning event.

Last year people in the Falkirk raised £64,100 by taking part, to fund its vital services including Macmillan nurses and patient grants.

The charity fears its supporters don’t realise the event is still going ahead – albeit in a new virtual or socially distanced format – and is urging people to find out about the new ways to take part.

Macmillan’s Janice Preston 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.”

To sign up, visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk or call 0330 102 7810.

While Coffee Morning can’t take place in exactly the same way as before this year, there are still lots of ways to get involved.

Janice added: “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 in this year’s Coffee Morning however suits them, from having a socially distanced Coffee Morning safely from their doorstep to setting up a virtual Coffee Morning online.

Those who prefer to take part in more active fundraising events can also sign up for the first ever Coffee Morning Challenge, tackling a run, walk or cycle to raise cash.

Meanwhile social media lovers are being urging people to take a selfie raising a mug for people living with cancer, while making a donation.