A charity has been able to make grants of more than £100,000 to cancer suffers in Cornwall facing financial difficulties.

Macmillan Cancer Support awarded grants totalling £102,589 in the county thanks to funds raised by its supporters

Around £46,218 in Macmillan grants helped people with cancer in Cornwall to pay for heating or clothing. Having cancer can mean you feel the cold more or may be spending more time at home between treatments, says the charity.

Approximately £20,516 was given to people with cancer who were struggling to cover the cost of travelling to and from their appointments, and helped with costs that could not be reclaimed through their hospital.

The grants also covered the costs of other essentials to help manage the impact of their cancer, such as beds, chairs, kitchen appliances and washing machines.

Four in five people living with cancer experience a financial impact, and the average in extra costs is £570 a month, says Macmillan

Rachel Holmes from Newquay, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, explained how a Macmillan grant helped her: ‘I had been planning a trip before I was diagnosed to see my family in the Midlands, which I had to cancel.

‘With the help of the team at the Cove in Truro I applied for a Macmillan grant and was able to get away and see my family for a break after I had finished my treatment. The trip gave me a real boost after everything I had gone through. 

’Macmillan have been amazing at a time in my life when the rug was pulled from underneath me.’ 

To find out about the financial help Macmillan offers, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk/moneyworries.