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A team of cancer charity colleagues providing support for patients, their carers and families locally are putting their best foot forward to help boost funds.

The ‘Mac-nificent Five’ – part of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust’s Macmillan Cancer Support offering - are on countdown to a half marathon hike, hoping to raise £1,500 to plough back into supporting the community.

They will be stepping out on July 16 to tackle the 13-mile Thames Path route around Windsor as part of the Macmillan Cancer Support one-day Mighty Hikes across the country.

Alanna Farrow, Macmillan deputy personalised care lead; Bev Williams, Macmillan personalised care lead and Nicola Ebdon, Macmillan breast support worker all support patients served by Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon and Stamford & Rutland Hospital.

They will be joined by members of the charity’s regional team; Lou Osborne, partnership manager and Polly Richards, partnership quality lead for the event later this month.

Macmillan Cancer Support has been providing practical advice and holistic support to Trust patients and their families for a number of years; developing personalised care plans tailored to individual patient needs and addressing any worries or concerns they have.

Alanna explains: “Personalised care starts from the point of diagnosis as we know that this can have ripple effect for carers and family members.

“We support patients holistically; this could be offering advice and support on managing their finances, dealing with the impact on any children within the family, or people living alone who are concerned about the welfare of their pet should they require hospital treatment.”

There are currently 150 Macmillan professionals serving the local area – and the charity is looking to increase that support.

Lou Osborne added: “We will be working with the community to try and identify the biggest needs by talking to patients and finding out from them what they would like to see the service offer.

“Funds raised from the Mighty Hike will go some way to helping bridge any gaps we currently have in terms of holistic support and welfare.”

As part of the countdown to the Hike, the team has already added to its fundraising total following a bake and cake sale at Peterborough City Hospital, supported by patients, visitors and colleagues.

Anyone wishing to support the Mac-nificent Five can do so through their fundraising link here.

 

 

Pic cap: Putting their best foot forward for Macmillan Cancer Support; Alanna Farrow, Macmillan deputy personalised care lead; Polly Richards, Macmillan partnership quality lead; Nicola Ebdon, Macmillan breast support worker; (front) Lou Osborne, Macmillan partnership manager and Bev Williams, Macmillan personalised care lead.