Hope for Tomorrow continues to allow vulnerable cancer patients to safely continue their treatment during lockdown. With the charitys income from fundraising activities halted, they have launched the Going the Distance urgent appeal, requesting donations in order to continue offering this crucial service.

The charity runs a fleet of state of the art mobile cancer care units (MCCUs) which, working in partnership with NHS Trusts, travel to local communities to treat cancer patients.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 Hope for Tomorrow's UK-wide service is now potentially saving lives by reducing the infection risk presented by visiting hospitals and clinics. This, as well as the safe environment of the MCCUs, one to one care and peace of mind provided by continued contact with the familiar, friendly NHS nurses on board the units, means that the facility is needed more than ever. For some patients this is there only trip out of the house during the COVID pandemic, certainly at least one patient reported they would have refused treatment if they couldn't be treated on the MCCU.

The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on voluntary donations, made to the charity direct.

Dr Sean Elyan, Consultant Oncologist and Hope for Tomorrow Chairman, said:

For cancer patients who already have weakened immune systems, there is currently an understandably increased level of anxiety at the prospect of hospital treatment.

Our MCCUs have shown that it is possible to deliver cancer care in a safe way without having to enter hospital buildings, often closer to a patients home. This has obviously been, and continues to be, hugely important during the ongoing pandemic as cancer patients look for reassurance.

We've been working hard in conjunction with our NHS Trust partners over recent weeks and months to continue to provide vital care. We know that this model of delivering cancer care services is something our patients have appreciated in times of increased stress, and it will continue to be something that offers greater peace of mind.

Crucially though, this approach is only possible through charitable donations made directly to us. While we know not everyone might be in a position at the moment to donate, if you are able to give just a few pounds then we would be hugely grateful as it will help ensure we can continue to provide a safe way for cancer patients to receive their treatment.