JOHN McCALLISTER SUPPORTS MACMILLAN CANCER'S CALL TO END FUEL POVERTY

South Down MLA John McCallister has given his backing to a Macmillan Cancer Support campaign to end cancer poverty.

John McCallister signed a pledge of support at a Macmillan-organised awareness raising event at Stormont.

At Thursday's event (22 Jan), MLAs from across Northern Ireland also heard how a network of innovative services for cancer patients facing financial hardship has generated more than £5 million in benefits.

The Macmillan welfare rights services were established two years ago to help people affected by cancer claim statutory benefits they may not have known they were entitled to.

The charity is calling for access to financial advice to be routine and made available to all patients from the time of diagnosis onwards.

Macmillan's general manager in Northern Ireland, Heather Monteverde, said: "Receiving such a positive response from MLAs has really helped to put the important issue of cancer poverty on the agenda.

"No one affected by cancer should be left struggling financially and we need to make sure everyone affected by this devastating illness is offered routine financial information and given all the help available to maximise their incomes."

At the time of diagnosis, many patients face a drop in income and an increase in costs for things like heating and travel to hospital. However, they may never have claimed benefits before and often do not know they are eligible for financial help.

This is why Macmillan established welfare benefits services at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry and at the Belfast City and Royal Victoria hospitals in Belfast, as well as at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Further information about Macmillan's financial support services is available by calling the freephone Macmillan Benefits Helpline on 0800 500 800 or by visiting www.macmillan.org.uk .