£207k committed to cancer care in Shropshire thanks to local fundraisers
A local fundraiser has issued a heartfelt message of thanks to all who raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support last year.
Helen Knight, Macmillan Fundraising Manager for Shropshire, says; “Because of all your support, in 2015 Macmillan was able to commit £207,500 in Shropshire, helping to support the 21,000 people living with or beyond cancer in our area. That means there are now around 40 Macmillan professionals working in Shropshire.”
"I just want to say a personal thank you to everyone who hosted or attended coffee mornings, volunteered their time, took part in challenge events, braved the shave, went sober for October, put a pound in a collection box, or held their own events to raise money for Macmillan."
One of the latest additions to the team is Jess Brindley, the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre Manager at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Jess said: “My role is to manage two information and support centres at the Trust.
“I support people in lots of different ways. From being someone to chat to about concerns or worries over a cup of coffee to more complex issues where I might need to see someone a few times to get their issues resolved.
“I had a call from a lady who has lung cancer who was being evicted from her home. After a few days in hospital the patient returned home to the news her landlord had served notice and she had four weeks to find another place to live. The boiler in the property had also broken and the landlord was reluctant to fix it because he was selling the house. The lady returned home to a damp, cold house. She was using expensive portable heaters. I listened to the patient and contacted the council on her behalf. I was given the details of a drop-in centre at Telford library and a phone number so she could register for housing. I was also given the details for environmental health so the lady could report the broken boiler.
“I arranged to see the patient at the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital and we completed a Macmillan Grant to help with the cost of using expensive portable heaters. I also referred her to the Macmillan Welfare Advisers. A week later I contacted the lady to see how she was. She had found a new place to live from a private landlord and was waiting to move in.
Jess added: “I wanted to be part of Macmillan because it’s at the forefront of developing services to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Their values reflect my own personal values and I’m proud to say I’m a Macmillan professional. The biggest reward for me is the feeling that I have hopefully made a positive difference to a person affected by cancer.”
Helen concluded: “Macmillan’s ambition is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer. By 2030, the number of people living with the disease will have doubled, so it’s a huge task to support each and every one of those in some way.
“With the support of local fundraisers and volunteers, we can keep supporting posts like Jess’s and team up with partners like Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to provide the best cancer care possible here in your community. With your help, we can make sure no one in Shropshire has to face cancer alone.”
If you’re interested in holding or attending a fundraising event, getting involved with a fundraising group or committee, or would like to choose Macmillan as your charity of the year, please contact Helen Knight on 07977 864278 or hknight@macmillan.org.uk
Anyone who has questions about cancer can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm or by visiting macmillan.org.uk.
