THE Macmillan Ilkley Fundraising Committee is setting up its own fundraising page to help it continue to fund Macmillan nurses and other healthcare professionals in Yorkshire and support people living with cancer at a time when it is needed most.

Macmillan is funded entirely by public donations and has faced a huge drop in income because of the current pandemic.

Chris Martinez, who heads the Ilkley fundraising group said: "We need the help of our loyal, local supporters and others so that we can continue to be there for the thousands of people with cancer who rely on Macmillan for physical, financial and emotional support. We know times are tough but cancer knows no boundaries and continues to affect 1 in 2 of us. We really need to keep these vital support services in place, but we can’t do it alone.

"Our Ilkley group have followed government guidance and have postponed or cancelled all its face to face fundraising which means we will face a massive decline in our income this year. The annual fashion show in May did not go ahead, an event that raised £12,000 last year. Our models put together a virtual fashion show which was very well received and raised £3,000 but we still need people’s support. So we are asking our generous supporters and others to give what they can via the new Ilkley Fundraising Committee’s donation page https://macmillan-org.enthuse.com/ilkley/profile or via the Supporter Care Team on 0300 1000 200.

"Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is still set to go ahead this September and is sure to be our most challenging, yet most important, to date. You can host a coffee morning however is best for you, because if cancer doesn’t stop, neither do we! Registration is at coffee.macmillan.org.uk .

"Please don’t forget, if you or anyone you know is affected by cancer, Macmillan is right there for you. For information, support or just someone to talk to you can call 0808 808 0000 (free to call – 7 days a week 8am-8pm), that includes the local Support Centre at Shipley, or visit www.macmillan.org.uk. We want to thank you for all the generous support you have given us in the past and hope that, with you, we will be able to continue to help Macmillan in the immediate future."