Ryan Riley, a cook, author and founder of ‘Life Kitchen’ has joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to inspire Londoners to get involved in Coffee Morning this year by filming a step by step guide to making two tasty and easy to make recipes – Gyoza Parcels and Lemon and Pomegranate Sherbet Cake.
Ryan, whose mum died of cancer in 2013, got together with a chef and food scientist to develop these and other recipes to help people living with an altered sense of taste due to cancer treatment in order for them to get greater enjoyment out of food.
Ryan said: “I am delighted to get involved with coffee morning this year by sharing two of my recipes. Not only are they easy to make but the ingredients have been specially chosen to naturally activate the senses and can be enjoyed by people whose sense of taste may have been altered due to cancer treatment. I was inspired to get involved in this type of cooking in honour of my mum, Krista, after seeing how chemotherapy affected her ability to taste and experience food during her two-year battle with cancer.
“Macmillan Cancer Support were really there for me when my mum was diagnosed with cancer and I am eternally grateful for their support. Her Macmillan nurse guided her and our family through her treatment, was there to answer all of her questions and made her comfortable during her final days. Living with cancer does not mean that you have to give up on all the small pleasures in life and food can provide some of the greatest comfort in spite of whatever else you may be going through.
“I also sadly lost a close friend to cancer just last week, which reminded me of the devasting impact cancer continues to have on people’s lives every day and how Macmillan’s support is still needed now more than ever. So, I’d encourage everyone to get behind coffee morning this year in whatever way you can. Maybe share these recipes online with your friends or get together in one of London’s great parks to celebrate the good times for a good cause.”
Macmillan is warning that almost 200,000 people living with cancer could risk missing out on care from its famous nurses without the public’s support this Coffee Morning, as sign-ups plummeted. The cancer charity says it is facing a £20million income drop as a result.
Nearly all (98%) of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations, but disruption caused by Covid-19 means demand for its services is high, while its income remains low. This includes its free seven-day-a-week helpline, which has answered more than a quarter of a million telephone queries from people affected by cancer since the first national lockdown.
The 110-year-old charity is calling on people to sign up now to host a Coffee Morning wherever, whenever and however they can, to help Macmillan continue to deliver the support that people living with cancer desperately need, now and in the future.
Paul Lyons, Relationship Fundraising Manager for London said:
“It’s worrying to see Coffee Morning registrations are currently lower this year than even last year, when we were all struggling with the impact of COVID restrictions. But we are delighted that Ryan is getting involved with coffee morning this year and inspiring us with his recipes, showing us all how easy it can be to bake and get involved, even if you are new to it. Macmillan is working tirelessly to do whatever it takes for people with cancer, but without the support of the public we won’t be able to keep up with the demand for our services.
“So, whether it’s a doorstep cuppa with a neighbour before work, a virtual bake-off, or a family picnic in the park, every penny raised will help fund crucial support for people living with cancer…people who need Macmillan now more than ever.”
