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CONSTRUCTION IN GREAT PROGRESSION AT NEW MAGGIE ’ S CENTRE BUILT WITHIN THE GROUNDS OF CLATTERBRIDGE HEALTH PARK
Maggie ’ s , the charity which provides free practical , emotional and social support for people living with cancer , are delighted to announce that construction of a brand-new Maggie ’ s centre , located on the grounds of The Clatterbridge Health Park , Wirral is on track to open early 2021 . Celebrations are taking place as they have reached the highest point of the build and have hosted a socially distanced Topping Out Ceremony to mark the exciting milestone .
Steve Morgan CBE , Chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation has pledged his support to build a new inspirational Maggie ’ s centre to replace the current interim centre .
“ I am delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation is progressing well on one of our biggest capital projects to date in partnership with Maggie ’ s , despite facing these unprecedented times . 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 ."
The project is part of a £ 5million donation to build two new Maggie ’ s centres .
“ All of our trustees are delighted that work is underway with the new Maggie ’ s centre at Clatterbridge . The celebrations continue as we have now secured a site for a second substantial investment at The New Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool .”
Since opening at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre ’ s Wirral site in June 2014 , Maggie ’ s Merseyside has provided emotional and psychological support to over 70,000 visits , both to those who are living with cancer and their families and friends . In June 2018 , Steve Morgan revealed plans and images for the new facility and the team at Maggie ’ s launched their ‘ Million for Maggies ’ campaign with the aim of raising crucial funds to secure the running costs of the new centre . The team are now close to reaching the ‘ Million for Maggie ’ s ’ milestone .
The new centre is welcomed by many of the centre visitors at Maggie ’ s , Jane Dabner of Bebington , Wirral said : “ The best way to describe being told you ’ ve got cancer is that somebody kidnaps you , takes you away and drops you in another country . You ’ ve got no map , you don ’ t understand the language and somehow you ’ ve got to try to find your way home . Maggie ’ s helps you do that . Maggie ’ s Merseyside had just opened as I was diagnosed
with breast cancer in 2014 . I found myself unceremoniously catapulted into a world that was terrifying and alien to me . Thank goodness Maggie ’ s were there to help me navigate my way through . As soon as I could , I started fundraising for Maggie ’ s as I wanted others to be able to experience the tremendous support that they provide . When my cancer returned last year and developed into Metastatic breast cancer , Maggie ’ s were there for me once again , whilst I underwent palliative chemotherapy to slow down the cancer . Even during lockdown , they continued to be there , and I am so pleased I ’ ve recently been able to visit the centre and speak to people face to face again , albeit at a distance .
" I ’ ve been following the progress of the new building and have been extremely excited to see this beautiful centre develop . I know it will make such a difference to people like me , providing a safe haven for the days when we need it most . Since last year my health has taken a further hit and I ’ m really hoping someone can slow the clock down , it ’ s going too fast . That said , I am still determined to continue to raise funds for the services in the new centre and be there for the opening ."
Kathy Wright Centre Head at Maggie ’ s Merseyside said " We are delighted to have reached this milestone as it brings us a step closer to the official opening . A new Maggie ’ s Centre will allow our team of qualified professionals to provide high quality support to people living with cancer at their most vulnerable time , in a warm and welcoming environment . Carroll Builders have worked so hard with The Steve Morgan Foundation to ensure the build has progressed forward despite the challenges with the Covid-19 Pandemic . 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 : “ Maggie ’ s Merseyside provides a vital service to our patients , enhancing the outstanding care they receive at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre . We are pleased to see the new centre taking shape so it can continue its 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 shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing .
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