Macmillan Cancer Support today welcomes a three-year partnership with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBSG) which will see £1.5m allocated to tackle the poverty that can be caused by cancer.
RBS will be donating £500,000 a year for three years to Macmillan to support their Better Deal campaign, which seeks to alleviate financial hardship amongst people affected by cancer.
With this donation, Macmillan will be able to broaden the current services that they provide to help people affected by cancer cope financially, including financial advisors and a telephone helpline. This extends the work RBS is already doing in financial inclusion and money guidance through their RBS MoneySense programme for schools and adults.
1.2 million people are currently living with cancer and of those, 400,000 are likely to need financial guidance. Managing money is one of the many worries for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. RBS and Macmillan will work together to reduce the financial vulnerability and uncertainty that can be felt during this time.
A key part of this will be helping to ensure that people affected by cancer get access to the money guidance and support they need. The funding will enable Macmillan to extend services like welfare and financial advisors and a benefits helpline for information on anything from housing and council tax benefits to help with prescription costs.
RBS is a continuing pilot partner in the Macmillan Working Through Cancer campaign, which seeks to improve support and guidance for both employers and employees that are affected by cancer.
Jason Suckley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Macmillan says:
"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 RBSG comments:
"Almost half a million people say they could benefit from extra financial guidance during this already stressful time. Some expert help on money matters can assist people in dealing with issues before they become problems and reduce unnecessary stress. Our partnership with Macmillan will provide this much needed practical support."
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For further information please contact:
Rachel Bloodworth at Macmillan Cancer Support on 0207 840 4993 or rbloodworth@macmillan.org.uk
Anita Ballantyne – RBS MoneySense Media Relations on 0207 672 1936 or anita.ballantyne@rbs.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Images available.
Ian Jessop, Senior Financial Planning Manager for NatWest, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, visiting the Macmillan telephone helpline.
Ian is one of the biggest personal fundraisers at RBS, raising over £12,000 through the Three Peaks Challenge in 2007. He has been motivated by the Bancassurance vision within the bank of Giving Something Back.
Ian comments:
"The 3 Peaks Challenge not only gave our team a wonderful sense of morale, but it made us reflect on how important it is that we give something back to the community in whatever way we can."
About RBS and Macmillan Cancer Support in Partnership
RBS is currently working with Macmillan on a number of initiatives:
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Macmillan is one of the top ten of over 4,500 charities benefiting from our employee giving programmes
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In 2007, Macmillan received £104,110 through Give As You Earn
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In 2007, Macmillan received £51,200 through Community Cashback Award
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Since the launch of the Charity Lottery programme in 2005, Macmillan have received £83,759
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Last year these programmes raised nearly £9.5m for charities across the UK.
MoneySense is the largest corporate financial capability programme in the UK, encompassing a range of financial capability projects for adults, young people and vulnerable groups.
'MoneySense' incorporates 'MoneySense for Schools' and 'MoneySense for Adults'. The schools programme, which has already helped over 1.5 million young people, is the longest running in the UK.
www.rbs.co.uk/moneysense or www.natwest.com/moneysense