£1.5m boost for poverty campaign

from the Press Association

Macmillan Cancer Support has received a £1.5 million boost to its campaign to tackle poverty among people suffering from cancer.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) is donating £500,000 a year for three years to the charity's Better Deal campaign, which aims to alleviate financial hardship among cancer patients.

It will use the donation to broaden the services it provides to give financial support to people with cancer.

These include giving people access to welfare and financial advisers, and a benefits helpline providing information on everything from housing and council tax benefits to help with prescription costs.

RBS and Macmillan will also continue to work together to develop products that are suitable for people with cancer.

The charity said a third of the 1.2 million people who have cancer are likely to need financial advice at some stage.

Jason Suckley, head of corporate partnerships at Macmillan, said: "We are delighted to have support from RBS, with their proven track record in the area of financial capability.

"Working to reduce the financial impact of living with cancer will make a real difference to the lives of those affected."

Stephen Moir, head of community investment at RBS, said: "We constantly look at ways to ensure no group in society is financially excluded.