A MOTHER is backing calls for the Government to extend winter fuel payment to cancer patients.

According to research by the Macmillan Cancer Support charity, people are twice as likely to fall into fuel poverty if they have been recently treated for Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Macmillan is calling on the Government to give winter fuel payments to cancer patients, as it does to elderly people.

Macmillan’s new campaign is being supported by Susan Hay, 39, from Darlington.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year, has had a mastectomy on one side and a lump and some lymph glands removed from the other side. Mrs Hay, who has a five-year-old son, Richie, and is struggling to pay her fuel bills, said: “I have felt the cold more since my operation and it is hard to keep up with the bills.

“The bills have gone up, especially the gas, and the fuel companies do not take into consideration any problems you have. It is a very big worry, especially as we have a little boy of five.”

Mrs Hay had to stop working because of her illness, and her husband cannot work because of a disability.

She said: “I just do not think enough is being done to help cancer patients pay their fuel bills.”

Macmillan found that 73 per cent of people being treated for cancer need to use their heating more.

People under 60 do not qualify for financial help.

Macmillan Cancer Support director Maureen Rutter said: “People undergoing cancer treatment spend more time at home as they are often too ill to work.

“The effects of treatment can make them feel the cold more, and then they need the heating on higher and for longer, which leads to increased fuel bills, all at a time when their household income plummets.”

In County Durham, in the year to last month, the charity gave out £46,010 in grants to 265 people to help with fuel bills – twice as much money to twice as many people as in the previous period.

In North Yorkshire, the charity gave out £30,724 in grants to 150 people to help with fuel bills, a 42 per cent rise in the amount given during 2007-8 to 28 per cent more people.

To support the campaign or get more information about help with fuel bills, go to macmillan.org.uk/fuelpoverty or ring the charity on 0808-808-0000.