A local Foundation has donated an incredible £140,000 to support the development of a new cancer support centre in Southampton.
The Maggie’s Centre, which will be based directly by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s (UHS) oncology unit, is using the funds from the Marchwood-based Barker-Mill Foundation towards construction of the facility, which is due to open later next year.
Maggie’s will complement cancer treatments and research taking place at the hospital and it is estimated that once established in Southampton, the Centre will see approximately 20,000 visits each year from people of all ages and with any type of cancer.
Ahead of opening its doors next year and with a target of £1million to be reached, fundraising efforts are ongoing. The required amount will cover the running costs of the Centre, plus enable a programme of sessions. Maggie’s is calling on local fundraisers and donors to help raise the funds, which are vital to ensure everyone who visits the Centre can use the facilities and sessions on offer.
By fundraising or donating to Maggie’s, you could help someone with cancer or their friends and family benefit from:
- Tailored specialist support – which costs £300 per day
- Nutrition with cancer workshops – £10 per workshop per person
- ‘Managing stress’ session – £100 pays for one two-hour session for up to 10 people
- Benefits advice – £40 allows someone with cancer to spend an hour with a Maggie’s benefits advisor
- Clinical physiologist support – £80 will fund a 1.5-hour session for a family to receive support from a physiologist, helping them to find a new approach to living after losing someone with cancer
Gemma McKnight, Maggie’s Southampton Centre Fundraising Manager, said: “The response we have received since the news broke about Maggie’s coming to Southampton has been overwhelming.
“We really appreciate all the support that has been given so far but there is still some work to do in order to ensure the future of the Centre and to allow us to support as many people living with or affected by cancer, as possible. The more fundraising activities that the public can organise or get involved with, or join in with our planned events, the better. Any corporate sponsors who would be willing to support us, please do get in touch. Every penny counts.”
Tim Jobling, BMF Trustee, said: “With the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s (UHS) oncology unit seeing over 5,000 people newly diagnosed with cancer each year and providing specialist cancer services to a population of around 3.2 million people across the south coast, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight, it was only right that the Barker-Mill Foundation stepped in to help.
“Maggie’s is a wonderful organisation and I would encourage everyone to get behind it, by fundraising and donating for this very special service which is going to touch the lives of so many people with cancer, as well as and their friends and families.”
Maggie’s is a national charity with 22 other Centres around the UK. It provides practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s Centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.
For further information about Maggie’s, please visit: www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-southampton/