The last week of 2012 saw a dramatic spike in grants given out by Macmillan Cancer Support for cancer patients struggling to cope.
Macmillan paid out £216,453 in the final week of 2012, a third higher than the weekly average for 2012.
More than half (55%) of the people helped during this period were given grants towards heating bills.
These figures back up recent Macmillan research showing around 27,000 cancer patients in the UK could be behind with paying their fuel bills3 and owe their fuel providers as much as £2.8million in overdue payments.
The increase in demand comes just weeks after almost all major energy suppliers hiked their bills by an average of 8%2.
Maureen Rutter, Director of Direct Services of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Cancer patients need to put their energy into getting better. Instead many are living in cold homes anxious about how they're going to cope with rocketing fuel bills.
"The Government is revising its fuel poverty strategy this year and we are calling on them to offer real protection to cancer patients."
The second highest request for grants during this period was for clothing. Macmillan research showed that one in three (34%) cancer patients have to put on outdoor clothes indoors to try to keep warm.
