Cancer charity facing funds crisis

The charity also announced it would be making redundancies in response to a loss in fundraising income.

One local woman, who received invaluable support from Macmillan, is encouraging people to keep raising funds for the charity.

Jemma Roleston, from Dromara, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.

She faced many challenges during her chemotherapy, even being admitted to ICU during her care.

The mum of two said: “As a family we faced knock after knock during my treatment but we got through it together.

“My girls, Katelyn, 10, and Chloe, nine, were incredible.

“It’s difficult talking to children about cancer but we were open and honest with them and explained everything as best we could.

“They came to see me at the hospital, and we talked to them a lot about what was happening.

“That’s why they started to fundraise for Macmillan. They saw how much I’d been supported and said that they wanted to help Macmillan to help more people like they’d helped mummy.

“Their idea was to make up and sell sweetie cones, little bags made up of sweets that they put together themselves. I thought if they did 20 or 30 it would be amazing, but they actually couldn’t make them quick enough – 600 they made!

“The response from everyone around us was incredible after I posted about their idea to Facebook.

“They raised over £2,000 and they fully intend to do more fundraising.”

Jemma added: “It was undoubtedly their way of coping during a tough time. They worked so hard and I am so, so proud of them.”

Macmillan’s area fundraising manager in Northern Ireland, Tania Bailie, said 98% of Macmillan’s funds come from donations like those from Jemma and her girls.

“At Macmillan we are determined to be there for everyone affected by cancer, but it is safe to say we are facing the hardest year in our 109-year history.

“We know the demand for our services is huge – there is the continued challenge of coronavirus, and as the cancer care system moves again, we can expect to see a significant backlog of people who desperately need our support.

“It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.”

“Although this year’s Coffee Morning can’t take place like it has in the past, people can still arrange socially distanced or virtual events, and we have lots of useful information and resources on our website to help.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Jemma, Katelyn, Chloe for everything that they have done and continue to do to support Macmillan. They show that fundraising is possible in so many different ways.”

l To find out more about fundraising visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk