Maggie’s Dundee Receives A Special Visit

28 May 2010

The secondary cancer group at Maggie’s Dundee Centre welcomed a special visit from the People’s Postcode Lottery’s glamorous Judie McCourt, after a member of their group won £10,000 in the weekly Street Prize.

Street Prize Presenter Judie joined the group for lunch to hear about the amazing support that they receive from Maggie’s and about the great friendships and camaraderie within the group.

Judie was invited along to join the class after presenting one of their members, Fiona Sinclair, with a cheque for £10,000, the previous week, when the winning postcode landed in Perthshire. Fiona, of Perth, was delighted with her win and explained to Judie that she was inspired to sign up to People’s Postcode Lottery because Maggie’s Centres are one of their official charities and they have helped support her through her cancer.

Invaluable support

Judie said: “I was bowled over by Fiona’s strength and humour; she’s an incredible woman. In sitting down with her group it was clear how much members value the support given- both between each other and from Maggie’s itself. Fiona was in a hospice at the time of my visit- but a quick phone call from her fellow members ensured I could pop in and see her. Fast friends indeed.”

Maggie’s Centres are one of five official People’s Postcode Lottery charities in Scotland, with Maggie’s having received over £1million from the charity lottery since the first draw in January 2008.

The money raised helps Maggie’s Centres to expand the number of Centres across Scotland, expand the programme of classes on offer in centres, employ more cancer support specialists and psychologists and much more. The secondary cancer class at Maggie’s Dundee is a tight knit group of woman who meet once a week with Maggie’s Dundee Centre Head, Lesley Howells. The group has been so successful at helping each of its members cope with the emotional impact of having secondary cancer, that Maggie’s are hoping to extend this class to other Centres in Scotland. The financial backing from People’s Postcode Lottery is helping towards this.

Lesley Howells said: “It was lovely to welcome Judie into the class, as we had all been chatting excitedly about the People’s Postcode Lottery the week before after Fiona’s big win. The secondary cancer group in Dundee has proven to be an excellent addition to our programme of support, with each member of the class finding great comfort in the weekly sessions. I’d like to thank everyone who plays the People’s Postcode Lottery across Scotland, as you are directly helping to fund such classes and subsequently make a difference to people’s lives.”