IN BRIEF
SOUTHPORT MARKET LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
CANCER PATIENTS TURN TO CHARITY FOR HELP IN ACCESSING OVER £ 250,000 OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Southport Market is set to play host to a winter wonderland as the popular food and drink venue launches its first Christmas Extravaganza !
Throughout December , Southport Market , based on King Street will undergo a magical transformation into a festive dream world with Christmas film showings , Christmas Markets , additional seating for Christmas bookings and even play host to the big man himself .
Sefton Council ' s Tourism elves are putting finishing touches to the plans , which will see a host of completely free events take place at Southport Market during the Christmas period .
Decorations will also see the venue adorned with amazing garlands , giant baubles along with an eye catching tunnel of light .
Anyone wanting to arrange a Christmas get together at the market can now book and reserve tables by pre-purchasing a drinks package between December 3rd and 18th , while from December 11th free festive films will be shown in the market ' s bespoke events space , in partnership with Bijou Cinema .
Also starting from December 11th , children will be able to visit the market ' s special North Pole post office drop-off to ensure their letters to Santa are delivered in time for the big day , while Father Christmas and his elves will also be making a special guest appearance on certain dates .
Outdoor chalets featuring a wealth of present and gift ideas will also be held in the area around Southport Market
Cllr Marion Atkinson , Santa ' s Sefton representative and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills , said : " Southport Market will be a winter wonderland with fun for all the family this December .
" All of the special events we have planned are completely free and we are using a first come , first serve basis for our film showings and Santa meet & greet .
" There is plenty on offer from our incredible traders and they will be complimented by a selection of outdoor shopping chalets ."
For more information about what ' s on offer at Southport Market over the Christmas period , please visit www . southportmarket . com
A cancer charity has helped to secure over £ 250,000 in benefit payments for people in Merseyside living with cancer over the last year .
New figures released by Macmillan Cancer Support show that over 300 people claimed an average of £ 885 each between June 2020 and June 2021 after contacting Macmillan ’ s benefits advice service .
The service , run by Citizen ’ s Advice Liverpool , was set up to help people with cancer cope with the huge financial pressures many face as a result of the illness and advise them of help that may be available .
Nicole McIlveen , Relationship Fundraising Manager at Macmillan said : “ No-one who has a life-threatening illness should have to worry about how to pay their bills or cover the costs of getting to hospital , but every day we hear from people facing these choices . Cancer comes with lots of unexpected costs and often a loss in income . Particularly for those who have never tried to navigate the benefits system before , it can feel like a maze , especially when someone is going through gruelling treatment or struggling to deal with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis . We want everyone with cancer to know we ’ re here to help make sure they get access to all the money they ’ re entitled to . I ’ d urge anyone with cancer to get in touch and see how we can help .”
Macmillan relies almost entirely on donations from the public to fund its services , and since the pandemic hit , has seen its fundraising income drop . In Merseyside , the charity raised £ 850,000 less in 2019 / 20 than the previous year .
Nicole said : “ Dealing with the emotional and physical impacts of cancer is one thing , trying to do so while worrying about how to put food on the table and keep a roof over your head is another . Even before COVID-19 a cancer diagnosis is something that can turn people ’ s lives upside down with a huge range of emotional , physical and financial impacts . It ’ s not always what goes on in hospital that concerns people the most – for many , money is the next biggest worry after the shock of their initial diagnosis .
“ Cancer is simply not something anyone can budget for and we are immensely proud of what our Macmillan benefits advisers are achieving when it comes to relieving just some of the financial anxiety experienced by people with cancer .”
To find out more about the financial impact of cancer , or to find support please visit www . macmillan . org . uk .
10 merseylife . com