The High Street Group aim to raise 40k to help Macmillan Cancer Support reach North East cancer patients in urgent financial need

This year The High Street Group in Newcastle is aiming to raise an incredible £40,000 to help cancer patients who need a Macmillan grant, with 14 employees taking on Kilimanjaro in June as part of ‘The High Street’s Climb Against Cancer’. Each participating employee has a personal fundraising target of £1,000, whilst the rest of the team will be raising money through a football event, a quiz night in The Charles Grey on Friday 8^th May and a gala dinner at Ramside Hall Hotel in June. Macmillan Cancer Support helped a record number of people in urgent financial need during 2014, with 1,068 Tyne & Wear cancer patients receiving a Macmillan grant to help them with costs arising from their treatment. Patients in Tyne & Wear received £328,848 for vital essentials such as heating bills, clothing and transport costs, as well as practical household items like washing machines - an 18.2% increase on 2013. Gary Forrest, Chairman of The High Street Group of Companies said: “Climbing Kilimanjaro has been a personal challenge for some time, as it’s a great incentive to raise as much funds for Macmillan as we can. I am delighted that the funds will remain in the North East.” Macmillan stress that there is a real need for support from companies like The High Street Group, as new figures from the charity highlight the financial isolation that often follows a cancer diagnosis. Research by Macmillan also found that four out of five people are, on average, £570 a month worse off as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Fay Scullion, General Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern England, said of the record numbers: “Our latest grants figures demonstrate the dramatic financial impact cancer has on the lives of patients and their loved ones. In 2014 Macmillan helped more people than ever before, as we continued to work to ensure that nobody faces cancer alone. “There are 2.5million people now living with cancer in the UK. And with this figure set to double by 2030, we believe that our next government needs to make cancer a priority. Macmillan is urging all of the main political parties to commit to matching the best cancer outcomes in Europe by the end of the next Parliament.” Fay added: “We urge any cancer patients who are struggling financially to contact our helpline to find what support is available to them.” Last year, Macmillan awarded grants to 33,011 people across the UK, giving an average level of help of £303 per person assisted. The High Street Group will be raising funds specifically to assist cancer patients locally who need financial support with clothing and other costs. DDCA, a digital marketing agency based in the North East, will also be supporting the Macmillan charity effort by helping to raise awareness of the cause. Managing Director Danielle Dunn said: “DDCA are thrilled to be involved with such a fantastic cause. At some point in every person’s life they are likely to be affected by cancer and the work that Macmillan do to support those people is beyond admirable” Macmillan grants are just one of the ways Macmillan can help with the cost of cancer. For more information about financial support available to patients, please call freephone 0808 808 0000.