Ogmore MS Huw Irranca-Davies has joined the Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales team at the Senedd to mark the charity’s annual Coffee Morning fundraising event.
The event also offered an opportunity to find out more about how the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact on people living with cancer, as well as worrying new research from the charity on the gap in Wales’ specialist cancer nursing workforce.
Macmillan’s annual Coffee Morning usually sees millions of pounds donated to help support people affected by cancer and helps fund Macmillan services in making sure people get the physical, emotional, and financial support they need.
Like so many charities, Macmillan has seen a huge fall in its fundraising income as a direct result of the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the charity’s flagship Coffee Morning – which is one of the UK’s longest-running fundraising events – is faced with a staggering 71% income drop for the second year running (£20m).
Speaking about their support for the annual fundraising event, Huw Irranca-Davies MS said: “Macmillan is a wonderful charity that works tirelessly alongside our NHS and other partners, to help people with cancer.
I’m delighted to help support their annual coffee morning and to let people know that this important fundraising event is still going ahead. I’d encourage anyone to get involved, and to organise 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: “We would like to offer Huw Irranca-Davies MS a heartfelt thanks for their support.
“More than 98% of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations, and thousands of people could miss out on vital care from our famous nurses without the public’s continued support for our Coffee Morning fundraiser.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now. 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 falls on 24 September but local events are 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.