A TOTAL of 221 Somerset cancer patients received urgent financial assistance from Macmillan Cancer Support last year.

They shared a total handout of £65,628 for vital essentials such as heating bills, clothing and transport costs – representing a 1.4% increase on 2013.

Research by Macmillan also found that four out of five people are, on average, £570 a month worse off as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

Carol Long, from Somerset knows first-hand how vital the support is after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2014.

She said: “I had to pay a rent top up from my fortnightly ESA payment of £89 as well as try to eat and pay for heating on a key meter.

“I was finding it difficult to manage to live on such a low income, and things became more difficult when my washing machine broke.

“I could not wash my clothes by hand because of physical health problems but could not afford to use the launderette either. Because of my illness I had lost weight and could not afford to purchase clothing or shoes because of her limited income.”

She was awarded a £200 grant for a washing machine, £100 for heating costs and £80 for clothes.

Macmillan welfare benefit caseworker Ann Cook said: “The latest grants figures demonstrate the dramatic financial impact cancer has on the lives of patients and their loved ones.

“‘People undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment should not have the additional worry of how to pay for absolute basics such as heating their home, or bedding to keep warm.”