LAST year 18 people in Nelson and Colne facing financial hardship because of cancer received grants totalling more than £6,600 from Macmillan Cancer Relief.

For many people diagnosed with the disease, dealing with financial problems can be as difficult as dealing with the illness itself.

Macmillan offers practical help to people in financial difficulty because of their illness by giving grants to pay for fuel bills, travel costs, and household goods, such as washing machines, recliner chairs and other items.

In 2003, Macmillan gave 14,707 people throughout the country grants totalling more than £5.3million. This included grants of £5,730 to help 15 people in Nelson and £920 to help three people in Colne.

For more information about patient grants contact the free Macmillan CancerLine, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, on 0808 808 2020, email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk or log on to www.macmillan.org.uk/

patientgrants.

Macmillan is only able to give grants to help people in need because of the generosity of individual, groups and companies. Anyone who wants to help raise money for the charity contact the local fund-raising office on 01706 224454.