THOUSANDS of pounds have been given to help people with cancer in Wrexham struggling with the pandemic’s financial impact and the unexpected costs cancer can bring.

Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support gave almost £26,000 in hardship grants last year across the county.

The charity’s grants are available to anyone living with cancer in Wales facing financial difficulties thanks to donations from the public.

During 2020 Macmillan gave around £25,986 in hardship grants to 81 people with cancer across Wrexham meaning they were able to pay for home comforts and essentials, such as heating their homes, travel to hospital appointments, bedding and clothing.

Macmillan grants are means-tested, one-off payments of £350 aimed at helping people living with cancer on low incomes.

They can be a huge help especially when many cancer patients are having to shield during the current lockdown by paying for things like a new washing machine or going towards energy bills.

All this at a time when the charity is facing a huge drop in fundraised income due to Covid-19 and donations are needed more than ever before.

The most common reasons people apply for Macmillan grants are:

• to buy new clothes when their cancer treatment had resulted in body changes;

• to help pay for higher than normal heating bills from staying at home;

• travel costs to and from regular hospital appointments, which can mount up significantly during treatment;

• and bedding.

Richard Pugh, head of partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “If you are struggling to meet the extra costs of cancer, I’d urge you to call Macmillan, or to contact one of our welfare benefits advisers across Wales, to see if you are eligible for a grant and the rest of the support on offer.

“Macmillan is only a phone call away and we are waiting to help you.”

To find out more about Macmillan grants, including who can apply, call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (open seven days a week) or go online to macmillan.org.uk/grants.

The Macmillan Support Line also has specially trained nurses and cancer information specialists who can provide information and advice, as well as emotional support, to help people with cancer cope with the additional strain of the coronavirus pandemic.