WE’VE DONE IT!
Maggie’s charity moves into our new centre
PHILANTHROPIST Steve Morgan has spoken of his pride after a landmark day in the history of the cancer support charity Maggie’s. Mr Morgan, CBE, chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “This is a very proud moment for everyone involved in the project. It is one of our largest capital projects to date, but our involvement has gone far beyond funding.
“We’ve been responsible for the planning, design, project management as well as the entire funding, which is almost unheard of for a foundation.
“My wife, Sally, first introduced the foundation to Maggie’s, and we have watched with pride as the building has come to life. It has been a real team effort.
“The sad reality it that cancer affects so many people’s lives and the work undertaken by the Maggie’s Centres has never been more needed. We know what a difference this will make to so many people.”
The new centre, Maggie’s Wirral at the Steve Morgan Foundation Building, will provide more space, allowing the staff to deliver more core services, courses and support groups.
The library and private rooms will offer individual, one-to-one and family support space for people who are not ready for group support.
Kathy Wright, centre head at Maggie’s, said: “It’s wonderful to have a permanent centre here on the Wirral and we’re excited to be able to start supporting more people with cancer in the surroundings of a truly uplifting and inspirational building.”
The centre, designed by Dennis Swain of HB Architects, is open to see people alongside digital support.
Liz Bishop, chief executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral, said:
“We have seen how beneficial Maggie’s professional, practical, emotional and psychological support has been since the interim centre was built on site and we know the new centre will provide support to many more people at what is possibly the hardest time of their lives.”
■ There are 18,000 new cancer diagnoses every year in Merseyside and Cheshire.
■ A second Maggie’s, also funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation will be built in the grounds of the new Royal Liverpool Hospital in the city centre and supporting patients of the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool. It is hoped that construction will start at the earliest opportunity, likely 2022.