Vital work being compromised by lack plummeting income

Soaring demand for services coupled to an estimated 50% drop in income has forced cancer charity Macmillan to launch an emergency appeal.

Unprecedented demand has seen its phone service experience a 1,600% increase as it invests £5m into a coronavirus response fund.

Backed by celebrities including Martin Clunes, Maxine Peake, Fearne Cotton and Joe Lycett, the charity is appealing for the public to help it raise the vital funds to continue to help cancer patients.

Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “At a time when our support has become more important than ever, our income faces a staggering drop, and the truth is we can’t continue to be there for all the people who need us without the support of the public.

“We’re doing everything we can to help people living with cancer, including the new services announced today to help address the immediate and unique challenges that having cancer during this pandemic brings.

“But we simply can’t make sure that no one faces cancer alone, without the public’s support.”

The charity has had to ditch or restrict huge annual fundraisers such as its Coffee Morning which last year raised around £28m.