On Friday 30th September I attended our local Macmillan’s Coffee Morning in St Chad’s to help raise money to support those faced with cancer. I think this is a very good way to get communities all across the UK involved in raising awareness and mobilise support for the charity and those affected by cancer.

Statistically, every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. Over the past century, medical researchers have made consistent progress in the fight against cancer. Survival rates and our understanding of cancer have also improved over the years. However, I am aware of how much more there is still to do to raise public awareness of how to ensure early diagnosis, where to get information, and how to support one another to get through it.

Macmillan provides information and support for those fighting cancer. It does vital work in building a community of people affected by cancer, supporters, professionals, volunteers, campaigners, who come together and improve lives.

It was a great pleasure for me to attend the local Macmillan Coffee Morning, meet those who volunteer and campaign for cancer support, and play my part in helping to raise money and showing support for this important cause.

Improving NHS performance in reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, protecting and increasing funding for cancer research -; these are important issues that I have campaigned for locally and in parliament. I have also previously raised with ministers the issue of budget cuts for local authorities to spend on improving local public health. I will continue my work in parliament and campaigning locally to hold the government to account on providing better guidelines and more funding for cancer research, diagnosis and treatments.