A HOUSING association’s crusade for Macmillan Cancer Support has touched staff who battled the disease.

Colne, which has homes across north Essex, donated £1,000 for Macmillan as the firm’s charity of the year.

Debi McAndrew, a support officer at Colne, leant on the charity when she suffered breast cancer.

Her and the Colne housing staff have wholeheartedly fundraised for a year turning out for dress down days, raffles and a Christmas Bake Off.

She said: “I’m so grateful to everyone who took part in our activities. As someone who received support from Macmillan during my treatment, I can truthfully say this is a really worthwhile cause.

“When I was diagnosed, it was a difficult time for me, my family, friends and colleagues and I can honestly say Macmillan played a huge part in making my journey manageable.

“I received telephone advice about benefits I was entitled to while I was off work plus received counselling once my active treatment was over."

Former Colne board member, Mike Andrews, whose wife Vivienne died of cancer in 2014, had nominated Macmillan to be Colne’s designated charity.

He said: “It was great to see so many people taking part and having fun when raising funds across the year.”

Statistics indicate the number of cancer survivors will increase by one million every ten years until 2040.

This means four million people will be living with a cancer diagnosis in 2030.

However, as of 2014, there were 813 people diagnosed with the life-changing illness each day in England.

Claire Husband, Essex fundraising manager at Macmillan, said: “Every day, 22 people in Essex hear the devastating news they have cancer and our generous supporters enable us to be there for as many of these people as possible.

“We’re extremely grateful for the effort put in by the team at Colne.

“Every donation we receive, however large or small, is vital."

  • Macmillan runs an information and support service at Colchester General Hospital on a drop-in basis every weekday from 9am until 4.30pm. For more information call 01206 745347 or email Deborah.Farthing@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk.