THE Ilkley Macmillan Fundraising Committee is urging people to get behind the charity’s new Yorkshire Appeal.

A spokesperson for the committee said:”Macmillan was founded 110 years ago by Douglas Macmillan and this last year has certainly been one of the toughest. The pandemic has led to the increased amount of demand for Macmillan’s services but at the same time the income has declined dramatically. In fact, in Yorkshire alone, fundraising has reduced by £1 million pounds.

“Although our Ilkley Fundraising Committee has received a number of generous donations from supporters during the past 12 months, for which we are extremely grateful, we have sadly had to cancel many of our regular events such as the annual fashion show, quiz night, supermarket collection days and the monthly Ladies Luncheon Club.

“We are, however, delighted to announce that there is hope that we can be part of the huge effort to make a difference in our county with the newly launched ‘Yorkshire Appeal’. Yorkshire is the only region in the country to set up its own appeal but the proportion of people living with cancer in Yorkshire is higher than almost anywhere else in England. Yorkshire covers almost 3 million acres and its population is approximately 5.3 million which is larger than in the whole of Scotland. In North, South, East and West Yorkshire there are 15 Fundraising Committees for Macmillan in total. Any funds raised by the ‘Yorkshire Appeal’ will be used to cover our emergency response and vital services for the 179,000 people currently living with cancer in Yorkshire.

“We already know that valuable money will be needed urgently for the Welfare Rights Team, Macmillan Grants, Macmillan Nurses and the Macmillan Support Line. In addition to this, each region of the county of Yorkshire has identified where funding is desperately needed in their particular area.”

In North Yorkshire funds are needed for Urology Specialists in York and Scarborough; East Yorkshire is funding Upper GI Cancer Care in Hull; in West Yorkshire the need is for Prostate Cancer Specialists in Leeds and in South Yorkshire it is Breast Cancer Support in Rotherham.

The Ilkley committee spokesperson added: “Here in Ilkley we have always tried to be pro-active and have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds during the years since our fundraising committee was founded. Next year the Ilkley Committee will be celebrating its 30th year of fundraising.

“During the past year, members of our committee have raised money by using different skills in handicrafts (making masks), art (making greetings cards) and baking (Christmas cakes).

“We are hoping that some of our many local supporters may be prepared to help us by holding their own small event, especially now that ‘lockdown’ restrictions are easing.”

Fundraising ideas include: a coffee morning or an afternoon tea for a few friends in the garden and a donation to Macmillan. If you wish to do this then you will need to register via the Ilkley Committee; gardening fans could take cuttings or divide larger plants for potting and then sell them; any saleable handicrafts; baking or a challenge involving some sort of exercise (with sponsorship).

Any money raised could then be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support via the Ilkley Committee on their own fundraising donation link: https://macmillan-org.enthuse.com/ilkley/profile or any money or cheques can be passed to the Committee’s Treasurer Mary Heathcote on 01943 601039.

“If anybody would like to take part in the ‘Yorkshire Appeal’ in any way, then that would be wonderful. Our Committee would be able to help you raise a few extra pounds and provide items for your event such as balloons, pin badges and more,” added the spokesperson.

Contact Janet Alton for more details on 01943 816368.