National Gardens Scheme Brings In Bumper Crop For MacMillan Cancer Support

Last year, gardeners across the UK welcomed members of the public into their gardens to raise millions of pounds for worthy causes. Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the primary beneficiaries of the National Gardens Scheme, received over £500,000 in 2009.

Over two million people are living with cancer in the UK and Macmillan is currently only reaching half of these people with essential information, expert medical care, emotional support and financial help. Every penny raised by NGS garden owners and visitors will help Macmillan in its ambition to reach everyone. With the launch of the 2010 Yellow Book this week, and the ever increasing number of spectacular gardens involved, this year is set to take us even closer to this ambition.

Since 1985 over £12,151,365 has been donated to Macmillan through the NGS, funding over 135 healthcare services and making the scheme Macmillan’s largest single donor. In 2009 five posts were funded, enabling Macmillan to introduce the first ever specialist cancer team in one hospital in the St Helens and Knowsley Hospital NHS Trust, Merseyside. This an important first step for Macmillan in its plan to move towards funding whole teams of healthcare professionals and so reach more people who need its services. The NGS funds will also be used to provide a Palliative Care Nurse in Middlesex and a Community Palliative Care Nurse in Harlow, Essex

Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are extremely grateful to the NGS for their continued support. The NGS is a wonderful organisation offering the public the opportunity to enjoy some of the most picturesque gardens in the UK, whist raising valuable funds for charity. The money we have received this year will fund key services in the community providing practical, emotional and financial support for people affected by cancer, at a time when the need for help has never been greater. We look forward to working with the NGS again this year.”

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For further information, please contact:
Rachel Bloodworth - Macmillan Cancer Support
0207 840 4993 (out of hours 07801 307068)
rbloodworth@macmillan.org.uk

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.

For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or freephone 0808 808 00 00