Pandemic's "profound" impact on people living with cancer

With 24 centres across the UK, Maggie’s offer practical, psychological and emotional support for people with cancer and their families.

The funds raised by players help make the work of Maggie’s centres and its staff possible – being there for people, their families, and friends when they’re experiencing the hopelessness, helplessness and isolation that can come with cancer.

Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s said: "The impact of the pandemic on those with cancer has been profound. It has heightened the sense of stress, anxiety and trauma for many with cancer. We’ve never felt our services, support, and friendship more needed than it is now.

"For 25 years Maggie’s has been there for people living with cancer and their loved ones. And for 13 of those years players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been by our side, raising vital funds. Because of their playing, we’ve been able to keep our doors open during the pandemic so that we can continue to be there for all those who need us and who haven’t been able to access healthcare in the usual way.

"Being there for people, at what is possibly the hardest time of their lives, is what we did before covid, it’s what we did during covid and it’s what we’ll do beyond covid."

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: "With increased distress experienced by people living with cancer during this pandemic, everything these centres and the staff at Maggie’s do has never been more important or more needed.

"Maggie’s was one of the very first charities our players supported and I’m delighted that they’ve now raised millions for this good cause and are helping make a difference to the lives of people with cancer across the country."