Maggie’s Highlands Celebrates Milestone Birthday

18 July 2010

People's Postcode Lottery's hand over a huge cheque of £1.2 million

Maggie's Highlands Centre celebrated its fifth birthday with a tea party yesterday, and People's Postcode Lottery's was there to hand over a huge cheque of £1.2 million to the charity- the amount raised for the charity in Scotland to date. In England over £74,000 has been raised for the cancer centres.

Supporters heard firsthand about the huge difference that Maggie's Highlands has made over the last five years to the people affected by cancer living in the region and looked towards a bright future for the facility, which includes the opening of a new garden on site.

Charles Jencks, the husband of Maggie's founder Maggie Keswick Jencks, attended the event, speaking of the importance of architecture creating an environment in which patients and carers feel valued.

Maggie’s Highlands was opened by Carol McGregor and Health Minister Andy Kerr in June 2004. The centre – the fourth of six Maggie’s Centres – has seen a growth of approximately 20 per cent in visitor numbers since the doors opened five years ago.

Maggie’s Highlands Centre Head Carole Bridge said: “This is a most wonderful day. Over the five years we have seen such courage and dignity as people face one of life’s most difficult challenges. We aim for everyone who comes into our centre to leave feeling more hopeful and determined.

"I will not deny that there have been times of sadness, but overwhelmingly, this is a place of joy and laughter. I am honoured that we are here to offer such support to the people of the Highlands and Islands and feel humbled by the strength of humanity that I see in here every day.”

Whilst the party provided the chance to recognise the vital work that has taken place over the past five years at the centre, it also offered the opportunity to look towards a bright future for the centre, including the expansion of services – which is only made possible through support from the local community and beyond.