Celebrities are urging the public to support Macmillan Coffee Mornings after it was revealed the charity fears it will face a £20million income drop for the fundraisers the second year running.
The shortfall in fundraising, brought about by the disruption caused by Covid, is thought to risk almost 200,000 people living with cancer missing out on care from the charity's famous nurses.
Sign-ups have dropped more than three quarters below average for the second year - and it is feared due to the combined drop in income from last year’s event, this could mean a total income drop of £40million.
11 celebrities are taking part in the campaign including This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, Strictly's Shirley Ballas, model Christine McGuinness, radio presenter Fearne Cotton and Kadiff Kirwan from BBC sitcom Fleabag.
Christine's mum is going through cancer treatment and Kadiff's aunt had cancer. The charity holds a special place in their heart as their relatives both received the support of a Macmillan nurse.
Nearly all (98%) of Macmillan's funding comes directly from donations, but disruption caused by Covid-19 means demand for its services is high, while its income remains low, the charity said.
This includes its free seven-day-a-week helpline, which has answered more than a quarter of a million telephone queries from people affected by cancer since the first national lockdown, according to Macmillan.
The helpline is currently taking a fifth (22%) more calls than this time last year , as people with cancer continue to turn to the charity’s nurses and experts for vital support.
Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It’s worrying for us to see Coffee Morning registrations are currently even lower than last year during Covid restrictions and want to assure everyone that there are many safe and fun ways to get involved – whether it’s a doorstep cuppa with a neighbour before work, or a family picnic in the park. Every penny raised will help fund vital support for people living with cancer, who need Macmillan now more than ever.”
Many of the celebrities taking part in the campaign have experienced Macmillan support themselves.
The stars are are urging people to sign up now to host a Coffee Morning 'wherever, whenever and however they can'.
Also taking part in the campaign is Love Island favourite Shaughna Phillips, whose family was supported by a Macmillan grant when her dad, who sadly died of cancer in 2016, and was no longer able to work during his treatment.
She will be joined by BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire, actor Peter Capaldi, broadcaster and activist Samantha Renke, Bridgerton’s Martins Imhangbe and Gavin & Stacey’s Larry Lamb.
Melissa Golding, 50, a mum of two from South Croydon, who was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in 2020, has called on people to sign up to the coffee mornings.
She said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is scary enough, but going through scans, surgery and treatment during the pandemic, was extremely tough. When I couldn’t have my family by my side and all the hospital staff were head to toe in PPE due to Covid-19, Macmillan was there for me.
"As well as being able to turn to the charity’s support line advisors, the website answered all my questions and meeting fellow ‘breasties’ on the online community was so comforting.
“It’s so upsetting to think that without more Coffee Morning sign ups people with cancer might not have access to the same support as me. This September, to celebrate being one year on from my last treatment I will be hosting a daytime disco Coffee Morning, with a giant disco ball and sequinned flares, to raise vital funds for Macmillan and celebrate the amazing support that got me through."
