Eight Macmillan Cancer Support professionals at Hywel Dda University Health Board are hosting a virtual murder mystery evening to raise funds to help people living with cancer.

The murder mayhem will take place on October 29, at 7pm on Zoom and is the chance to see the health care professionals - which includes Macmillan nurses, a volunteers officer, and information and support staff - as they have never been seen before.

The murderous shenanigans will take place on board the HMS Whodunnit, when philanthropist and all-round good egg, Dr McDogood is found dead, and it is up to the audience to help reveal the killer from a cast of unusual suspects.

To secure entrance to the Zoom event, people are asked to donate to the cast’s Virgin Money Site https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/HywelDdaMacmillanMurderMysteryTeam, although all donations are very welcome. Alternatively, you can call Sarah and Lis on 01267 227904 or email MacmillanCISSCarmarthen.HDD@wales.nhs.uk for details on how to donate.

Speaking about the fundraising evening, Macmillan information and support coordinator, Sarah Russell-Saw, who will play rising-star chanteuse, Beryl Belter, said: “Macmillan really needs support right now and we thought that this would be a fun way to raise some money, as well as being a great way for Macmillan professionals to come together.

“The Covid-19 pandemic means that we don’t get to see each other in the way we used to. We’re continually reviewing and adapting the way we offer our services and we are still determined to be there for people living with cancer.

“With my own information and support services, we physically used to be in the wards and in the spaces where people received their cancer treatments. That’s not possible at the moment but we want people to know that we are there for them and can signpost them to help and advice.”

Talking about why she is taking part in the murder mystery, Sarah said:” Being Beryl Belter in this Whodunnit event is definitely taking me outside of my usual comfort zone – I think it is for all the Macmillan professionals involved but we hope it will be a great evening for cast and audience alike. We want to raise as much as we can for Macmillan so that the charity can continue to offer practical, emotional and financial support to people living with cancer.

“We wouldn’t be able to host this evening without the technical know-how of Sandra Llewellyn, from Carmarthenshire 50+ who is providing the online technical help for the evening.”

Talking about the Whodunnit event, Macmillan partnership manager, Anna Tee, said: “I was so excited when I heard that this was happening, and the date went straight into my calendar. I am constantly amazed to hear about the creative ways in which Macmillan professionals are still able to provide the information, support and care to people with cancer during these challenging times.

“Macmillan relies on donations for 98 per cent of its funding and without people like these eight rising movie stars, we wouldn’t be able to continue to make a difference in the local community. A huge thank you from me to these, and all of the amazing Macmillan professionals, who do such a great job in Hywel Dda.”

For local Hywel Dda Macmillan Information and Support in West Wales call 01267 227904 to speak to Sarah or Lis or email us on MacmillanCISSCarmarthen.HDD@wales.nhs.uk

If you have been inspired and would like to host your own fundraising event for Macmillan, you will find a wealth of ideas and advice on safe fundraising during on the Macmillan website. Go to macmillan.org.uk and search for fundraising.