MACMILLAN Cancer Support gave just over £1m in hardship grants to people in London last year, including £45,000 in Ealing and £25,000 in Hillingdon.

Around 3,300 people in Greater London were able to pay for home comforts and essentials, such as heating, travel to hospital appointments, bedding and clothing. 

Grants are available to anyone living with cancer in London facing financial difficulties, thanks to donations from the public.

Kris Chadwick, 44, who was diagnosed with treatable but incurable breast cancer in 2018, said: “I tried to work through my treatment but realised, after my first round of chemotherapy, that I would need to take time off work.  

“On top of this I’d had to move from a house share to a flat on my own, so my expenses were through the roof.

“I reached out to Macmillan and the wonderful person talked me through some options. Just knowing that someone cared enough to help made me tear up.”

Grants are means-tested, one-off payments of £350 aimed at helping people living with cancer on low incomes.

To find out more about Macmillan grants, including who can apply, call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/grants