A REDDITCH charity, which provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer, is aim to smash its £1 million charity milestone.

Redditch Macmillan Committee has raised a staggering £970,000 since its formation. Until her death last year, their fundraising efforts were spearheaded by Ida Parkinson from Astwood Bank, Worcestershire’s very first Macmillan Nurse, who took on the role of president of the fundraising committee after her retirement.

Her goal throughout her career and retirement was to do all she could to help local people with a cancer diagnosis receive the support and care they and their families needed for as long as they wanted. Ida pioneered counselling for relatives, which is now the norm, and was instrumental in setting up the Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove.

The Redditch committee’s goal is to top the £1 million mark this year to further her aims.

The charity funds about 50 posts in Worcestershire, with nurses specialising in care for lung cancer, skin cancer, gynaecology, chemotherapy, head and neck and palliative (end of life) care, as well as other services.

There are four Macmillan Information Support Centres in hospitals in Redditch, Worcester and Kidderminster giving free information and support. Each costs around £52,000 a year to run.

Grants totalling almost £87,000 were given last year by Macmillan to Worcestershire people struggling financially.

And Macmillan’s Citizens’ Advice Benefits Team enabled local people to access £1.8 million of benefits for which they had not realised they were eligible.

Ida Parkinson’s daughter, Wendy, who is a member of the Redditch committee, said: "The work of Macmillan has come a long way and the need for it has grown enormously since mum started it all off in Worcestershire. "We hope businesses and individuals will help us continue her legacy and pass the £1 million milestone this year by holding a fundraising event, or making a donation."

To find out how you can help, or to donate to the Macmillan Cancer Support Redditch and District Committee, telephone Anne Healy (honorary treasurer), 01527 404696.