A WELFARE rights service has helped families coping with cancer claim more than £4m in benefits over the last year.
The service was set up to offer financial advice to families trying to deal with the likes of hospital car parking charges, increased child care costs and higher fuel bills at the same time as they are coming to terms with their diagnosis and possibly lost income.
During the last 12 months, the Durham County Council Macmillan Welfare Rights Service has helped 1,676 people and unlocked £4,164,032 in benefits for people affected by cancer.
The organisation held an event at the Rivergreen Centre in Durham City this morning to mark the milestone.
Maureen Rutter, director of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Providing financial guidance for people affected by cancer is so important."
She added: "The support provided really does improve people’s lives, so we are very proud and excited to see the impact it has already had in just the first year."
The three-year scheme was set up with a £1.5m donation from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group to fight the poverty caused by cancer.
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