Maggie’s, the charity which provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends, was delighted to receive a cheque for £11,358.30 from Forth Valley Giving, the registered charity of NHS Forth Valley.

The charity’s generous donation, raised through a prize draw and donations from patients, will go towards the running costs of the new Maggie’s Forth Valley which is to be built in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.

Construction of Maggie’s Forth Valley is due to start in Spring 2015. When Maggie’s Forth Valley opens it will be a warm and welcoming place, where qualified professionals are on hand to offer an evidence-based core programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Maggie’s and NHS Forth Valley have worked together to bring Maggie’s to the Forth Valley area where around 1900 people a year are diagnosed with cancer.

NHS Forth Valley’s Chairman Alex Linkston presented the cheque to Marion Taylor, Centre Fundraiser for Maggie’s Forth Valley during a recent visit to Maggie’s Lanarkshire, in the grounds of Monklands Hospital in Airdrie. The visit was organised to give staff from NHS Forth Valley the chance to see for themselves the high quality support and uplifting environment Maggie’s offers. They also received an update on how work to develop the new Maggie’s Forth Valley is progressing.

Alex Linkston, Chair of NHS Forth Valley, said: “It was fantastic to visit Maggie’s Lanarkshire to see the kind of calm, welcoming environment and professional support that will soon be available to local patients in Forth Valley. Maggie’s Forth Valley is going to be a beautiful building which will make the most of the hospital’s unique, scenic surroundings.”

Craig Holden, NHS Forth Valley’s Fundraising Manager, added: “I would like to thank all the patients and staff for their generosity which has helped raise a tremendous amount for this excellent cause. NHS Forth Valley is committed to offering the best possible support to people with cancer and the new Maggie’s centre will make an immense difference to local patients and their families.”

Marion Taylor, Centre Fundraiser for Maggie’s Forth Valley, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Forth Valley Giving and to the local staff and patients across NHS Forth Valley for supporting Maggie’s. It will be wonderful to be able to welcome people with cancer and their family and friends to a beautiful, purpose-built Centre just a short walk from Forth Valley Royal Hospital.”

Maggie’s relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support. The charity’s aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.

Construction of Maggie’s Forth Valley is being funded by grant-making charity Walk the Walk and the walkers of the Moonwalk Scotland. The Centre has been designed by award-winning NORD architects.

Pictured left to right:

Jonathan Proctor, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Information Management and Technology; Garry Wells, NHS Forth Valley, Treasury Services Manager; Craig Holden, NHS Forth Valley’s Fundraising Manager (back row). Alex Linkston, Chair of NHS Forth Valley; Marion Taylor, Centre Fundraiser for Maggie’s Forth Valley; and Dr Graham Foster, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Public Health and Strategic Planning.

 To find out more about Maggie’s Forth Valley, please visit www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-forth-valley/.