THE coronavirus pandemic has taken a terrible toll on charities everywhere and one in particular is facing extreme challenges, forcing them to make deep cuts and work harder than ever to raise vital funds for their much-needed cause.

Macmillan Cancer Support has stopped all non-essential expenditure, put a high number of staff on furlough and closed a number of offices due to the devastating financial strain brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic.

The charity's fight against cancer and its effects on families and loved ones struck by the disease goes on but they need our help now more than ever.

Here we look back to some of the great efforts people in our community have made too support Macmillan in the great work that they do.

Pic1:

The oncology team at Inverclyde Royal Hospital kindly invited the Telegraph to join them in their fundraising efforts for what is the Macmillan charity's big push for support.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning, held annually by ordinary people in venues across the UK, makes an extraordinary difference to the the work the charity does and helps them provide support to cancer sufferers, their families and dependents in their hour of need. The picture, taken in 2009, was one of a great many that that told of the generosity of the many Inverclyde people who made the special effort to ensure the future of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Pic2:

Come the time of Year for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, pupils of our local schools put their all into raising awareness of, and funds for, Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan fundraising manager Evelyn Nicoll poured the tea when she joined pupils of St Stephen's High School in Port Glasgow on a break from their fundraising activities back in 2004.

Pic3:

Proudly sporting their Macmillan 'Organiser' badges, kids of Inverkip Primary School gave a cheer after their hard work and home baking netted a tidy sum for the charity.

The day of fundraising made for some lovely pictures for the pages of the Tele back in 2005.

Pic4:

Pubs, restaurants and hotels always get behind the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, and in doing so they help bring in millions of pounds worth of financial support for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Staff of the Old Bank Bar in Greenock posed up for this picture during their fundraiser in 2012. Manager Jennifer McCrory worked hard with colleagues Tracy McIver and Ashley Cain to turn out a table brimming with tasty treats that went down a storm with customers.

Pic5:

Schoolgirl Laura Clarke hosted a coffee morning in her front garden for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning of 2003 and in doing so she brightened the day for visiting neighbours Beatrice McCaughey, Elsie Simpson and Betty McKeeman. Thanks to the generosity of the ladies and the hard work of both Laura and her friend Bibiana Mazzoni, the morning was great success and raised a whopping sum of £240 for Macmillan Cancer Support.