14 Cancer Charities Receive Grant Funding Totalling £7.95m

Fourteen cancer charities have received grant funding totalling £7.95 million, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.

The payments have been made through the Cancer Charities Support Fund, part of a £24m package of funding made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support carers, cancer charities and mental health organisations.

Welcoming the initial grant payments the Minister said: "When I first announced the availability of this funding in April, I was keen that the money would provide vital support to organisations whose work makes such a difference to the lives of those living with cancer, as well as their families and communities.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on cancer services. Alongside my department’s Cancer Recovery Plan and the 10 year Cancer Strategy, which has just been launched for public consultation, this grant funding will provide and expand much needed support for patients and families.

"I am delighted to see these payments being made to charities and I will soon be announcing further grant allocations to support carers and mental health organisations."

The Cancer Charities Support Fund will be available for three years and is managed by the Community Foundation which initially opened the grant by asking for applications in the range £30,000 to £1m.

A total of 14 applications were approved for projects including psychological support and counselling, improved access to support services, delivery of cancer rehabilitation programmes and enhanced palliative care.

Recipients include:

Marie Curie - £775,379

Southern Area Hospice Services Ltd - £862,046

Northern Ireland Hospice - £804,079

Foyle Hospice - £595,957

Cancer Research UK - £660,000

Cancer Focus NI - £565,020

The Pink Ladies Cancer Support Group - £250,000

Cancer Lifeline - £200,000

Charis Cancer Care - £198,080.88

Action Cancer - £499,995

Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent) - £357,049

Macmillan Cancer Support - £926,209

Cancer Fund for Children - £857,882

Action Cancer - £400,025

Total awarded - £7,951,722.

Community Foundation Chief Executive, Roisin Wood said: "The Community Foundation is delighted with the phenomenal response to these important funds, which will provide £7.95 million to organisations supporting people with cancer here.

"The funds will be available for three years, thereby making an impact over a longer period of time, which we know will create a meaningful difference in the lives of many."

New funding for the Cancer Charities Support Fund, featuring smaller grants from £5,000 to £30,000, will open next month. Further information can be found on the Community Foundation website.