Macmillan Cancer Support is new Assembly ‘Charity of the Year’

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 13 January 2026

Reference: SO 4/24/25

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission has selected Macmillan Cancer Support as its chosen charity for 2026.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA made the announcement at an event in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings today (13 January), where he was joined by representatives from Macmillan as well as Assembly Commission staff and service users of the charity.

In late 2025, Assembly Commission staff were asked to nominate charities which met the Speaker's selected charitable purpose of 'the advancement of health or the saving of lives'. With 13 charities shortlisted, staff voted for Macmillan as their preferred choice.

Speaker Poots said:

"Today marks the start of a year-long fundraising campaign by the Assembly Commission staff which I'm sure will significantly benefit Macmillan Cancer Support, and all those people who are helped by them. Many of us are sadly familiar with the impact a cancer diagnosis can have, and we hope that the contribution made to Macmillan over the next 12 months will go some way towards maintaining the excellent service they provide.

Assembly Commission staff have been extremely proactive and creative in the past in finding ways for people in Parliament Buildings to show their generosity and I look forward to being involved in those fundraising efforts to support Macmillan over the next 12 months."

Aaron Nugent, Relationship Fundraising Manager with Macmillan added:

"The impact of a cancer diagnosis often ripples through families, friendships, workplaces, and communities. Macmillan's services and support play a vital role in ensuring that everyone affected by cancer can access the care and support they need, and particularly for those who need us the most. We are delighted to have been selected as the Assembly Commission's charity of the year for 2026 and for the continued opportunity to work closely alongside Members, staff, and all those connected to the Assembly. Together, we'll do even more for people with cancer across Northern Ireland, supporting those who need us now and sparking a revolution for cancer in the future."

Jessica Sturgeon, a Macmillan Cancer Support service user said:

"When people hear you are diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer as I was, they think it's the end - but it wasn't for me. I was lucky to have brilliant treatment from my nurses, and also the kind of support from Macmillan that really kept me going throughout gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was an amazing feeling when I got to tell my two young sons and family I had no evidence of disease, and Macmillan was there each step of the way. I cannot tell you how glad I am Macmillan has been chosen as the Assembly Commission's Charity of the Year for 2026. With this boost, they will go on to support many more people in NI through what can be the toughest time in their life."

ENDS

 

For media enquiries, please contact: Maureen Heaney, Communications Office, Northern Ireland Assembly.

Email: maureen.heaney@niassembly.gov.uk phone: 028 9052 5938.

 

Notes to editor

  • Assembly Commission staff were asked to nominate charities which met the Speaker's selected charitable purpose in autumn 2025. From the 13 charities nominated, staff were then invited to vote for the charity they wanted to become the Assembly Charity of the Year for 2026.