Macmillan Cancer pioneer and multi-million pound fundraiser dies in Wimbledon
The pioneering charity fundraiser behind the famous Macmillan Coffee Morning event has died at her nursing home in Wimbledon, aged 83.
Jill Phillips joined Macmillan in 1980 and became the charity’s chief national fundraiser.
To date, Macmillan Coffee Mornings have raised more than £310million for the charity, which provides vital support to people with cancer.
Jill was also pivotal in launching several other high-profile Macmillan fundraising events, including the popular House of Lords vs House of Commons Tug of War, which still takes place annually.
As a result of her fundraising legacy and influence, Jill had the honour of leading the Macmillan Nurses in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Parade in 2002.
The first Macmillan Coffee Morning took place in 1990. It was a simple idea – people across the country would gather over a coffee in their workplace or home and donate the cost of their cuppa to Macmillan.
It has now grown to be the charity’s single biggest fundraising event and even appears in the Guinness Book of Records.
Macmillan’s chief executive, Lynda Thomas, led the tributes to Jill, saying: “She was a valued member of the Macmillan family for many years and played such an important part in our history.
“Jill was the driving force behind the first Macmillan Coffee Morning, as well as many other fundraising initiatives. She was vital in making a positive difference to the lives of people living with cancer, and we simply could not have achieved what we’ve done without her incredible support.”
In 2012, Jill was diagnosed with dementia and spent her final years in the care of the dedicated staff at Barchester Queens Court nursing home in Wimbledon.
Jill’s sister, the award-winning novelist Anne Easter Smith, said: “Macmillan was a passionate cause for her during her 15-year tenure, and I am only too sorry that, due to her particular form of dementia, she never knew how successful her Coffee Morning brainchild had become.”
Born in Stanmore in February 1939, Jill passed away on August 13. Her memorial will be held in Wimbledon on September 22.
Donations in Jill’s name may be made to Macmillan Cancer Support, Integrated Neurological Services, The National Theatre, or The Globe Theatre.
This year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning will take place on Friday, September 30.
Pictured: Jill Phillips (All pictures: Anne Easter Phillips)
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