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macmillan coffee morning
'Macmillan Coffee Mornings' help to Fund & Inspire:
Loved Ones lost to Cancer + Survivors
BUT ANOTHER QUESTION IS...
"Would your Own Family be 💯 100% Financially Secure IF Something Unexpected Happened?”
*1/2 get Cancer in their Lifetime
*Every 75 secs Cancer's diagnosed
*500+ Parents still die every week
*1/5 Men will Die = Before Age 65
*1/8 Women Die = Before Age 65
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
Nothing could be worse if you or a loved one are suddenly diagnosed with Cancer or other Critical Illness - so now faced with a major health & life crisis.
Then immediately - it's as if your families whole world can feel like it has been turned upside down, bringing along many regular health checks - with unwelcome but necessary medical life changing hospital treatments as needed.
Everyone is waiting for any positive progress, wellness updates, test results & how you are best coping.
SO a welcome and "Valuable Tax-Free Insurance Payout" here - could help to lessen either your short or long term financial burdens & stress, after any untimely cancer diagnosis; Whether you're single, a parent or the main breadwinner with dependents.
Yet on average only around 40% of the UK Population hold any type of Life Cover, Critical Illness or Income Protection Insurance cover back-up plan to help protect their family, or made a valid Will. WHY?
Well, perhaps the other 60% either don't want to have a talk about this conversation, until maybe someone close - is critically ill with say cancer or sadly dies? Then raising that spectre of everyday finance & money matters - alongside struggling with the families emotional turmoil.
The Pandemic also bought this fact home deeply for many families that life is fragile and good health is often taken for granted - because it's an important topic that needs to be discussed NOT ignored.
So, it’s useful here to compare life insurance, critical illness & income protection - via Best UK Insurers Broker Deals (which can be cheaper than you think) given average UK life & health expectancy.
Typically Insurers in 2026 are still paying out around 97% claims* across all types of insurance products - to protect those who are most vulnerable.
Insurance can help provide financial stability in a difficult world - protecting your regular bills, mortgage, debts or funeral costs.
Perhaps you have some cover already OR are now considering the benefits of taking out a Lifecover, Critical Illness or Income Insurance Policy? >>
As Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert may point out - nobody lives an average life - So factor into your family finance budget whether it's healthy longer twilight years (or shorter with health issues).
Martins' rule of thumb tip here - recommends insuring at least "10 x salary or outgoings" of the main breadwinner for life or critical illness cover + insure upto 2/3rds salary for income protection.
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
'Macmillan Cancer Coffee Morning'
Macmillan Cancer Support world's biggest coffee morning?
Founded in 1990, Macmillan Coffee Morning (formerly the World's Biggest Coffee Morning) is a regular fundraising event.
These events happen when various like minded people across the UK decide to host and attend coffee mornings (or afternoons) or Fete's - all in aid of Macmillans Cancer .
It has reportedly raised well over £300+ million for Macmillan Cancer cause. The rest is history.
Since then, these cancer coffee mornings have grown into a series of 1000's of events across the country, helping raise funds towards people living with cancer.
Today in 2026 it's for people of all genders and ages who can join in ie; It can be a coffee morning for everyone
All these cancer macmillan coffee day events are helping to raise vital funds & often for their own personal reasons.
Macmillan Coffee
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the UK's largest charities, helping provide both specialist healthcare, practical advice, and also financial support to people affected by cancer.
Macmillan's state proudly that they will try to help patients and their families navigate the massive physical, emotional, and financial impacts of a cancer diagnosis.
Specialist Healthcare:
The charity helps train up & fund specialist Macmillan nurses, GPs, and those allied health care professionals who may assist those patients through their cancer treatments.
Financial & Practical Help:
They also provide free Government benefits calculators, grants, and specialist money advisors guidance for those struggling with the costs of cancer (such as travel or utility bills).
Emotional Support:
The Macmillan Support Line, hosting specialist community support centres within your local hospitals, and maintains an online peer-to-peer community.
Information:
Macmillan also publishes many helpful & concise cancer resources; the latest medically reviewed booklets & support about those different cancer types and treatments.
They also have on their website information on the many different types of cancer - which can be classified according to where they start in your body eg; breast cancer, kidney or lung cancer.
Whether you choose to donate, volunteer or fundraise - they say that every effort helps to support their valuable life-saving cancer support charity.
The main aim of their 'Cancer Coffee Mornings' is twofold.
- To remember a loved one who may have suffered from or died of cancer.
- Help raise money sponsorship funds towards their current & future Cancer Support.
These Coffee Morning events are now open to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.
We may all have a reason to join in and arrange a 'macmillan coffee morning near me' - whether it’s for your parents, your family, your friends, your kids or yourself who have been touched by cancer.
Although, these Macmillan big coffee morning may focus mainly on raising funds & awareness on the types of cancer, the chances of getting other types of critical illness - like a heart attack or stroke are also very high.
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
How do I get a Macmillan Coffee Morning pack?
Sign up to host: Firstly register on their website & and they will send you their special fundraising kit with everything you need to help prepare for a successful Coffee Morning.
Plan your Coffee Morning: Read their tips on how to host your Coffee Morning anytime, anywhere and in any way you like to.
Share your event: Fill in their enquiry form if you are intent on hosting a Coffee Morning and want to invite members of the public to help join in on the fun.
Pay in your donations: Importantly pay in all those donations you helped raise at your Coffee Morning and that will help them continue to support people all those affected by cancer.
So what ideally happens at these Macmillans big coffee mornings?
- Eat and Drink: People bring along or buy homemade cakes and bakes plus coffee or other hot drinks.
- Participate in Organized Activities: Many hosts organize extra fundraisers like special raffles & quizzes, or arrange games to help raise even more money
- Donate: Instead of paying £££ for these treats, you would donate instead what you would normally spend on that coffee shop drink (give whatever you can) to benefit directly to the Macmillans charity.
Naturally anyone can host or attend a Macmillan Coffee Morning Fund raiser.
Whilst their official flagship event takes place annually every September, you can potentially organize your own or find a local gathering using their Macmillan Coffee Morning Finder.
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
Cancer Causes & Biological FAQ:
Key Cancer Categories?
1 in 2 people maybe diagnosed sadly with cancer in their lifetime OR Every 75 secs Cancer is diagnosed.
Men also have a shorter life expectancy than women. WHY these stats?
Well, as humans amazingly our bodies are composed of around 30 trillion cells.
- Males = 36 trillion cells
- Females = 28 trillion cells
- 330 Billion cells die & replaced daily = normal human cell cycle process
- Men carry 1 'X' & 1 'Y' chromosome
- Women however carry 2 'X' chromosomes
Hormonal differences between the 2 genders can also play a big life expectancy role here.
For men, their occupations, behavioural patterns & testosterone can all weaken their heart muscles and supress their natural immune systems.
Alternatively for women, their oestrogen helps provide cardiovascular protection & also may help to reduce more harmful cholesterol levels.
As such, women may live on average upto 5 years longer than men. However, sadly for being diagnosed with cancer - both sexes are roughly similar, as UK female cancer cases increase.
So we are therefore very complex biological creatures living on the earth - like most animals. Our bodies & health will logically therefore breakdown & go wrong over time.
The cancer arises when those cells within your human body acquire mutations in your genes DNA.
Scientists have found 100's of variants, mutations, or alterations that all help the cancer to form, grow, and spread.
This all disrupts normal cell growth & division allowing cells to then multiply uncontrollably & form causing cancer tumours.
Given that - as humans we may also affect those high cancer risk chances by for example; drinking in excess, smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy food & lifestyle choices, or raised BMI - rather than just chance or blaming our genetic family history.
Yet it seems typically around 1/3rd of emergency cancer patients had not even visited their GP beforehand - meaning a later diagnosis of cancer signs & symptoms.
The medical word 'Cancer' sounds all encompassing as a critical illness BUT there are actually over 200 types. Some more treatable or dangerous than others.
Of which - there are currently 5 main categories of cancer as described & being researched daily by those Cancer Research UK Teams.
These can then be grouped according to the key type of cell that the cancer starts in.
- Carcinomas: The most common type, starting in the skin or tissues lining internal organs (eg; breast, lung, prostate, colon cancers).
- Brain & Spinal Cord Cancers: Known as central nervous system cancers
- Leukaemias: Cancers of the white blood cells that begin in the bone marrow.
- Lymphomas and Myelomas: Affect cells of the immune system.
- Sarcomas: Begin in connective or supportive tissues such as bone, fat, muscle, or blood vessels.
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Cancer Critical Illness & Finances
Dependant upon the type & severity, it's acknowledged that those patients are more likely to face uphill financial challenges during their cancer treatments.
Whether that's via maybe surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiotherapy.
Research for example has indicated that many people with breast cancer for example do take time off work to recover + that average amount of leave is at least 6 months.
For example, if you earned say £40,000pa without any access to sickpay - then 50% or maybe £20,000 in lost income is needed to help cover any ongoing bills & expenses?
So, if you don't have a reasonable reserve £££ fund to access if you're unable to work - a "Valuable Tax-Free" Critical Illness Insurance Payout or Income Protection is most welcome.
Studies by Breast Cancer now show that many people do suffer low mood & depression after their diagnosis - So having a financial back-up plan makes good sense.
The average amount of time off work with any cancer types - naturally can all differ with recovery rates from person to person.
The most common types of cancer diagnosed for men or women are typically...
| *Male Cancers | *Female Cancers |
| Prostate | Breast |
| Lung | Lung |
| Colorectal | Colorectal |
| Bladder | Uterine |
| Melanoma | Melanoma |
| Kidney | Non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
Other common male & female human cancer's include
| Appendix Cancer | Bone Cancer |
| Bowel Cancer | Cervical Cancer |
| Gastric Stomach Cancer | Gallbladder Cancer |
| Liver Cancer | Endometrial Cancer |
| Pancreatic Cancer | Ovarian Cancer |
- Lung, bowel, breast & prostate cancers = upto 50% of UK cancer related deaths.
- Breast, prostate, lung, & bowel cancers = over 50% of new UK cancer cases.
- Survival rates vary on cancer types = high 98% testicular vs low 1% pancreatic.
- *Cancer Research UK stats
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
What’s Critical Illness Insurance?
Critical Illness Cover is a specific insurance policy type that pays out a 💯 ‘100% Tax-Free’ sum once diagnosed and as specified by that UK Insurers plan during the policy term.
It can help protect you & your family etc; should you suffer a critical illness & become seriously ill - so unable to earn a living, potentially threatening your finances & lifestyle. This plan can also be combined with life insurance or as a standalone policy.
In the past - some UK Insurers just focused on covering just certain 'types of cancer' & nothing else eg; well women insurance or well-man critical illness cover plans.
BUT in 2026 most UK Critical Illness Insurance policies now cover many of these serious conditions (rather than only cancer types) - that any average man or woman are more likely to get diagnosed with & especially within their working lifetime;
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Major Organ Failure
- Parkinson's
- Tumours
UK Critical Illness Policies can vary from 40 to 100+ conditions. Likewise, their costs can vary from cheaper basic to more comprehensive.
Note: Insurers policies may all vary as to their severity payouts upon any cancer critical illness diagnosis claims.
For example; less serious = lower or partial payouts vs more advanced serious = higher or full payouts: Check critical illness policy T&C's | Best broker critical illness plan advice >
Also, some Insurers may offer valuable Global Treatment rider benefits often a broker-only package added feature.
That could mean you're seen immediately via 2'nd medical opinions for diagnosis, then cancer treatments privately abroad. Plus may bring along a family member or loved to help you (services paid for by the Insurers).
This would be alongside any tax-free payout received = meaning potentially double peace of mind here. Check critical illness policy T&C's | Best broker critical illness plan advice >
3 Reasons to Consider Critical Illness Cover?
Critical Illness ‘Tax Free Sum’ could help to pay …….
- Mortgage
- Private Medical Treatment
- Loans, Debts or Credit cards
- Adjust your Home & Lifestyle
- Holiday of a Lifetime
- OR Rainy Day Fund once recovered
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
*Does Martin Lewis recommend Critical Illness Cover?
Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert comments that Critical Illness cover is a plan designed to pay out a lump sum '100% tax free', if you do get a serious illness or major disability and therefore can't work.
Most Critical Illness Insurance plans MSE then states will typically cover you for some life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack, stroke and cancer types.
Martin Lewis on Critical Illness Cover however says be aware of any policy T&C's....Why? Well, he raises this point only because he says that some people think these critical illness plans may cover all and every illness.
He has a point here therefore - because he says it is not a ‘catch all illness’ plan ie; comparing payouts on critical illness vs income protection insurance.
This could be also due to the varying and wide range of different benefits offered by those UK insurers - trying to compare exactly like for like & by a non-medical lay person?
Martin has also said buyer beware here - As many people believe that terminal illness insurance (often a free early death claim payout rider benefit of a typical lifecover policy) is the same as having critical illness insurance; Which it isn't.
MSE does point out many critical illness policies do also include some cover for your children.
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
MSE: How much Protection Insurance Cover?
The MoneySavingExpert also says that as many critical illness cover plans are often tied in with life insurance, MSE does 💯'100% Recommend Life Insurance', especially if you have any dependants.
SO their MSE rule of thumb here is to insure at least *10 x annual salary for life insurance (excluding mortgages, loans & debts).
Martin Lewis says consider insuring upto *2/3rds annual salary for income protection insurance.
OR if calculating Critical Illness cover maybe *10 x annual outgoings over the number of years / months required. eg;
- Amount needed for monthly outgoings - £2,000pm
- Number of months/years you need it to cover - 120 (10 years)
- Total amount of critical illness cover needed - £240,000
On his various podcasts, TV shows like This Morning & other blogs he often emotionally but as a matter of fact points out (having lost his own mother very young) - Thinking about how your family may cope financially if you were to die or seriously ill isn't a very cheerful topic, BUT it is an Important One.
MSE points out that it's a cheap financial lifeline - but the ultimate choice is always yours if the cost's worth it.
So Martin Lewis agrees that protection insurance is important if anyone is reliant on your Income & would struggle financially without you around ie; any dependants with an insurable interest.
But Martin also says generally those best insurance deals here are often via a broker - either with or without advice.
Therefore as brokers, we note that as those chances of getting a Critical Illness are quite high during the term of a policy, generally it is often over 4 x times the price of a life cover alone.
They point out as these plans do ask you various up-front questions + that most protection insurance applications will take account many of these following details when underwriting & deciding upon the terms offered :-
- Gender ( male / female ) no longer directly affects insurance prices
- Family & Personal Medical health history past & present
- Smoker & Alcohol status
- BMI & Fitness
- Risky Pastimes & Lifestyle Status
- Financials ie; Salary, Cover & Reasons
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
Martin Lewis also suggests being the Money Expert "NEVER BLINDLY BUY DIRECT" expensive offers either via a Bank or One Insurer ie; Shop around or use a Broker.
Lastly, MoneySavingExpert also said generally remember, not all insurers plans are featured on insurance comparison sites. As brokers, we would also agree here - so let us help you shop around for your best broker deals.
In terms of the large range of Life & Critical Illness Insurance products available, Money Saving Expert re Illness Martin Lewis' team are fully impartial with all their best buy reviews. As you maybe aware, neither Martin nor MSE never endorse products.
Parents, Cancer & Family Impact
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Someone's Life may change in just a Few Seconds.....
So as a Parent, whether a couple or just single parenting Mum or Dad - The bigger picture here is the reality also on the overall impact upon your family unit, children and loved ones.
Because nearly 27,000 Parents die each year in the UK - That's over 500 per week - whether that's from cancer, another critical illness like heart disease & stroke, or have an accident.
This means sadly leaving around 46,000 dependent & bereaved children all under ages 17. It has sadly happened in my own family group & probably yours?
That is One Parent every 20 minutes or 1 Child Per Typical School Class size – may all lose a parent before they even grow up...(as Martin Lewis The Finance Guru also sadly experienced as a teenager when his Mum died).
Or in some cases, your own children suddenly having to help out and be responsible young carers for their parents - whilst they may recover from cancer.
Yet despite these over-whelming real life daily UK stats - on average only around 40% of the UK Population may hold any type of life insurance, critical illness or income protection cover back-up plan to really help protect themselves financially & their family.
In other words, many others live and believe daily "It WON'T happen to me Attitude in Life" - Even in todays uncertain world OR are we just a nation of procrastinators?
“No-Obligation FREE Critical Life Quotes >> 15 Secs | Compare Insurers | FCA regulated | UK based advisers.”
Mental Health and Cancer
Apart from that person directly suffering from cancer - it is common to struggle with your mental health during this period when you have any serious illness or perhaps care for someone with cancer.
This then also leaves the surviving partner to cope with many personal & difficult financial decisions to make - alongside help looking after their children & loved ones.
Any children who may have lost their parents to cancer can fortunately access specialized bereavement support, including counseling and peer groups;
This is now available via various organizations like Child Bereavement UK, Grief Encounter or Winston's Wish.
Macmillan Mighty Hike Events 2026
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Apart from hosting a Macmillan Coffee morning to raise funds & awareness to cancer - another way for many people to respond to this stress & adversity - is to throw themselves into a physical challenge, enjoy & pull together to help out themselves or those less fortunate and be part of a solution.
We have listed below some of the many cancer fund-raising around the UK's towns & cities for Macmillan Cancer Support - like their Macmillan’s Mighty Hikes & their cycling, swimming, triathlons - all staged or checking past results in 2026.
Plus some other major cancer charity find a race events fund raiser events like Cancer Research Race for Life, Pretty Muddy Race for Life plus Breast Cancer Now - which you could help you donate to both charities?
Or perhaps if not running & walking, or that Macmillan Coffee Morning - alternatively just help arrange & donate at another cancer charity function.
Breast Cancer Ribbons
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Macmillan Coffee Morning + Cancer Critical Illness Cover
Many millions of people have taken part in various cancer fund raising events like a Macmillan Coffee Morning or Mighty Hikes - since they all began.
Helping those taking part also remember & celebrate their loved ones all lost to Cancer + support those ongoing Cancer Survivors & newly diagnosed.
Yet despite those harrowing stats that we may have a 1 in 2 chance of getting cancer in our lifetime - still less than 40% of the UK population have any form of protection insurance.
So, given those odds - a suitable "insurance back-up plan" to help protect your finances & family could help out as a valuable life changer.
Note: On average critical illness insurance & income protection is often at least 4 or more x the price of lifecover - because of those higher chance risks of making a claim.
In conclusion: If you are therefore looking at getting some family protection then - How much insurance do you actually need?
Well, as Life Insurance Brokers in an ideal world - we may suggest this simple formula to help cover your main bases & all given your affordable budget.
- LUMP SUM > Repay any mortgage & debts, cover funeral costs
- INCOME > Help cover your monthly bills
- LUMP SUM > Back up for holidays, education, emergencies
Sorting out your ideal protection insurance cover may sometimes seem a difficult task, so don’t do it alone.
It’s always a good idea to get professional advice from an expert if looking at serious illness, income protection or life insurances – we’re here to help.
'Macmillan Coffee Day' Article by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser (2026)
For reassurance re health for men & women - we review many of the best brands selling Life Insurance in United Kingdom (inc NI)
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'There is...ONLY 1 YOU' 
