The MoonWalk Edinburgh continues to support new Maggie's Centre in Glasgow
Walk the Walk, the grant making health charity behind The MoonWalk Edinburgh, continues to support Maggie’s, the organisation which offers care and support to anyone affected by cancer, to create a second Cancer Caring Centre in Glasgow, at The Gartnavel General Hospital. Significant funds raised by the thousands of Power Walkers who pound the streets of Edinburgh each June, will be granted to Maggie’s by Walk the Walk to help towards the cost of the new £2.1 million building.
Maggie’s at Gartnavel Hospital will be built close to the new oncology department, The Beatson, helping to provide near by support for thousands of cancer patients who visit the hospital each year. The new centre will provide patients and their families from across the West of Scotland with the best cancer care information alongside practical, emotional and psychological support. The Beatson serves a population of 2.7 million and will see 8,000 new patients a year and administer more than 20,000 courses of chemotherapy.
Following on from the success of the first Maggie’s Centre in Glasgow, The Gatehouse, built five years ago, the new site at Gartnavel will hugely boost the cancer care support available for people across the West of Scotland. With The Gatehouse seeing 12,000 visits in 2007 alone and a 60% increase in visitor numbers over the last two years, Maggie’s Gartnavel Centre will be welcomed as good news to cancer patients and NHS professionals.
Maggie’s would like to recruit a strong team of enthusiastic volunteers to support the 12,000 women and men power walking a marathon round Edinburgh city centre. There are a host of jobs for everyone from driving support vehicles, marshalling along the route, being a cycle marshal, giving out medals and lots more. Volunteering is available in shifts so you can donate whatever time you can.
The event starts and finishes at Inverleith Park. You do not need experience, but you do need lots of enthusiasm! You can come with friends, family or on your own and meet new people.
Maggie’s have a huge team of walkers taking part in this year’s event, so come on, sign up to become a Maggie’s Volunteer today and support our staff, centre users and corporate friends who will be striding out in the name of Maggie’s
Maggie’s CEO, Laura Lee adds: “Maggie’s Centres are delighted to be one of just two official charities benefiting from this year’s Moon Walk, a 26-mile power-walking marathon through the streets of Edinburgh. People are required from 6pm on Saturday until lunchtime on Sunday but don’t worry, we don’t expect anyone to work right through!”
For further information on volunteering please call the Events Team on 0845 602 6427 or email events@maggiescentres.org.