A cancer support service is celebrating receiving an additional £350,000 in new funding in order to continue to support people affected by cancer across Lanarkshire.
The service launched in 2016 and is delivered by North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support. The charity recently invested another £350,000 into the vital Lanarkshire service, taking the total amount of funding for the service to £1 million pounds. Previously based in libraries and leisure centres across the county, the service is now offered online and over the phone.
The Macmillan Volunteering Hub in Lanarkshire service offers cancer information and emotional support alongside specialist exercise classes for people with cancer, and signposting to other local support, from benefits advice to counselling.
Craig Tobin, who manages Macmillan’s projects in Lanarkshire, said: “A cancer diagnosis is life-changing and, for many people, the financial impact can be devastating.
“It can bring all sorts of pressures, such as loss of income due to being off work, increased household bills and travel to and from hospital appointments for treatment.
“Having someone available to help get the support you need locally and relieve some of that anxiety during cancer is vital.
“As Covid-19 continues to cause major disruption, it’s more important than ever that people know we are still here for them. The emotional, practical and financial support is still available and although you can’t see us face-to-face we are just on the end of the telephone.
“It’s thanks to the hard work and dedication of our supporters in Lanarkshire who raise so much money for us that we are able to continue such vital services and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.”
