Go on a ‘culture crawl’ and boost Maggie’s coffers

Monklands supporters of Maggie’s Lanarkshire have two more days to register for one of the charity’s key fundraisers at a discounted price.

The cancer caring centre’s third annual 10-mile“culture crawl”walk in Glasgow takes place on the evening of September 28, and £5 off registration remains available until this Friday.

It will see participants visit sights including the Dockyard Social and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, and finish with a variety show at the Britannia Panopticon Theatre.

Entertainment en route will include performances by Irish fiddler Lauren Dunbar and swing sensations The Hume Sax Quartet, exhibits by artists Zoe Law and Lucy Gordon, street food samples and a dram at the Clydeside Distillery.

Maggie’s Lanarkshire centre head Lorrie Forsyth said:“We rely on donations to continue to develop our unique programme of support and I really hope the local community gets behind this event to help us support people living with cancer, and their family and friends.

“It’s essential that people are able to find the practical and emotional support they need to cope with the changes that life after cancer brings.

“Maggie’s Lanarkshire offers a way of living well with cancer including ensuring people are really listened to and offered tailored individual support and practical advice.”

Participants will include centre user Alex Bourne, who was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour in 2009, and was told following an operation two years ago that the grade-three oligodendroglioma was incurable but manageable.

The 32-year-old has had counselling sessions at the Airdrie centre and takes part in a group named Living Well When Cancer Can’t Be Cured.

Alex said:“Taking the first steps through the front door at Maggie’s was the most nerve-wracking I’ve ever done, but once I was there, I realised that everyone was keen to help.

“The group was really invaluable in helping me change my outlook on life. Cancer doesn’t carry the stigma I’d attached to it before – it’s no longer a bad word.

“Staff and people I’ve met at Maggie’s, in similar situations to me, have helped me to rebuild my life; my experience at Maggie’s has been enormously therapeutic and I’m much more positive.

“I’m doing the Culture Crawl with nine of my workmates – it’s my way of giving back.”

Visit www.maggiescentres.org/ culturecrawl/find-event/culturecrawlto register.