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CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES AT NEW MAGGIE’S
CENTRE BUILT WITHIN THE GROUNDS OF THE
CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CENTRE
Maggie’s, the charity which provides free practical, emotional and
social support for people living with cancer, is moving forward with
developments for a brand new Maggie’s centre located on the grounds
of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral. Celebrations are taking
place as builders move onto site to prepare for construction.
Steve Morgan CBE, Chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation has
pledged his support to build a new inspirational Maggie’s centre to
replace the much used and much loved current interim centre.
“I am delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation is to embark on its
biggest capital project to date in partnership with Maggie’s.
“So many people have been affected by cancer, or know someone who has
been affected by cancer, and the work undertaken by the staff at Maggie’s
Centres across the country offers invaluable practical and emotional
support when people who are being treated – and their families and
friends ‐ need it most.
“All of our trustees are delighted to be able to make such a substantial
investment and Alexis Redmond has agreed to Chair the Board of
Maggie’s Merseyside to oversee the launch of the appeal to raise funds
for the ongoing running costs."
The project is part of a £5million donation to build two new Maggie’s
centres, one to replace the existing centre at Clatterbridge, Wirral and
then another at Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Since opening the interim centre in the grounds of The Clatterbridge
Cancer Centre in June 2014, Maggie’s Merseyside has provided
emotional and psychological support to over 65,000 visits, both to those
who are living with cancer and their families and friends.
John Blain lost his wife to cancer 15 years ago and has been visiting
Maggie’s recently with daughter Katherine following her own cancer
diagnosis. John feels he benefits from talking to others facing similar
situations to them. Whilst Katherine has accessed parts of the successful
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evidenced based programme of support including the social aspect of
‘Expressive Arts.’ Katherine says ‘Maggie’s is so important to me, there
is the sense of an extended family to offer a friendly and much-needed
hug especially on the days when I struggle most. It is vital we raise the
‘Million for Maggie’s’ to help others find the camaraderie and hope that
I have.’
Kathy Wright Centre Head at Maggie’s Merseyside said “We are
delighted ground breaking has begun. A new Maggie’s Centre will allow
our team of qualified professionals to provide high quality support to
more people living with cancer at their most vulnerable time, in a warm
and welcoming environment. We are extremely grateful to the Steve
Morgan Foundation and we cannot thank them enough for making
that a possibility. Without their help we simply could not manage to
sustain the level of support with the growing centre visitor numbers as
the current interim centre does not have the capacity. As a team we are
excited for the future of Maggie’s Merseyside and we know this will have
such a positive impact on our centre visitors.
Liz Bishop, Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: “We
are really excited that work on the new Maggie’s Centre will start soon.
Maggie’s Merseyside provides a vital service to our patients, enhancing
the outstanding care they receive at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
and we can’t wait to see the new centre taking shape and continuing this
important work in new and improved surroundings.”
Maggie’s Merseyside is a warm and welcoming place, with qualified
professionals on hand to offer an evidence-based core programme
of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional
wellbeing.
To find out more about Maggie’s and how to fundraise for the new
Maggie’s Centre please get in touch with Sasha Mathias at:
[email protected] or 0151 334 4301.
For further information about the Steve Morgan Foundation please go to
www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk