CANCER patients from across The Vale have benefitted from £62,254 in one-off grants from Macmillan to 221 recipients who were in financial hardship during 2014.

Over half of the total amount donated from the charity was for support with clothing which amounted to £16,000 and fuel bills that came to £13,000. Other items included household equipment such as washing machines and bedding.

The grants are given directly from Macmillan to people living with a cancer diagnosis in need of financial support.

There was a slight decrease from the total amount of grants given in the prior year - £5,000 less given in 2014 than 2013 - and the recipients also decreased from 260 in 2013 to 221 in 2014.