Maggie’s Fife launches £10,000 appeal to continue its vital work

A £10,000 appeal has been launched to help our Maggie’s Centre continue to support people living with a cancer diagnosis.

The organisation, which is funded almost entirely by voluntary donations, is calling on Fifers to rally round and support its ongoing work.

Many of its major fundraising initiatives have been cancelled or postponed in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

The centre has handed its building in the grounds of Victoria Hospital over to health workers as a place to step away from the frontline of caring for coronavirus patients.

But Alison Allan, centre head, said: “People’s cancer doesn’t just stop because of Coronavirus.

“We want to be here for those people because they need us more than ever during this emergency and beyond.”

Our Maggie’s Centre has supported over 70,000 Fifers in the past decade, and the number of people coming through its doors continues to rise year on year.

It is an oasis of calm as well as practical and emotional support for people living with a cancer diagnosis, and the loved ones who support them.

The original fundraising campaign, led by the Fife Free Press to build the centre sparked an overwhelming response from people across Fife.

They smashed the initial £100,000 in barely eight months – making it the fastest fundraiser in Maggie’s history – and went on to generate £500,000 to get its doors open in 2006.

Now, the centre faces a new challenge in the face of the coronavirus pandemic which has brought life, as we know it, to a halt – and, once again, we are asking the people of Fife to give their support.

Maggie’s has set up an online donations page to ensure it has the funds to continue to offer its vital help to people living with a cancer diagnosis.

Alison said: “The crisis will have a significant impact on our fundraising for 2020 and 2021.

“Most of our fundraising events and activities are now cancelled or postponed and whilst we are working hard to encourage our supporters to give or fundraise in other ways, our fundraising income will be significantly affected over the coming months.

“ I am asking anyone who can help to please make a donation on our JustGiving page.”

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Maggie’s Fife has had its hugely popular ladies lunch postponed until 2021, and the annual Twilight Walk, scheduled for June 6, is currently on hold.

“Both were major fundraisers, with significant income also coming from runners taking part in events such as the Edinburgh and London Marathons which have also been postponed.

And with people in isolation – many away from loved ones – while living with cancer, its support is more important than ever.

The centre currently cannot meet people face to face – but it is handling more calls than ever from worried Fifers.

It has moved quickly to meet the urgent needs of people with cancer and their loved ones, continuing to ensure they have access to the practical and psychological help they need at this extremely difficult time.

“While it cannot see people face to face, its expert staff are working hard to provide vital support on the telephone, by video call and online.

Tu Edwards, centre fundraising manager, said: “We have taken so many challenging calls from people who have cancer and who cannot have their loved ones around them right now.

“This is a very anxious time for people going through this.

“People have been in touch every single day, and our team has been able to listen, to re-assure and also offer practical help on issues such as benefits to try to easy their worries.

“We will keep on doing everything we can to help.”via

Alison added: “We understand how the current situation increases stress and anxiety levels for people undergoing treatment, as well as family and friends, but we are here with them offering practical and emotional support to help them at this most difficult time.

“We have been supporting people with cancer in Fife for 13 years and our professional staff are here with you now and for as long as you need us.”

You can donate HERE www.justgiving.com/campaign/MaggiesFife

Virtual fundraising ideas HERE www.maggies.org/get-involved/do-your-own-fundraising/virtual-fundraising/

Maggie’s Fife is continuing to support people living with cancer through the coronavirus health crisis:
Telephone: (01592) 647997 or email [email protected]

Online community https://community.maggiescentres.org/home