Comment: Why we must ensure our Maggie’s Centre gets through lockdown

From births to deaths, we are all having to adapt to often difficult, new restrictions.

For people living with cancer, the current lockdown can be particularly distressing.

The personal touch they need has been limited, and many face treatment and journeys to appointments on their own.

The surge in phone calls to our Maggie’s Centre is entirely understandable – and it also underlines why we must ensure this vital, frontline operation is secured through these challenging times.

The Press’ association with Maggie’s goes back to its very first day when plans for a Fife centre were first announced.

It was Press readers who took that initial fundraising campaign to their hearts, and delivered £100,000 in little more than eight months. Now we ask you once again support a centre they have taken to their hearts.

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The support Maggie’s offers to people living ewith cancer – and their families – is so far reaching. From practical help to emotional support, to simply welcoming them in for a cuppa, the centre is an incredibly special to so many people.

It’s a place that rings with laughter and warmth. It buzzes with vitality and love.

We need to ensure it has sufficient funding to protect those life-affirming qualities remain intact when this crisis is over and the doors open once more.

Cancer doesn’t stop because of coronavirus. Treatment plans continue, appointments are still being made, and Maggie’s remains committed to offering incredible support online and via phone calls.The fact it has had so many people get in touch since lockdown underlines how valued a service it is.

This appeal, for our Maggie’s – and it is always ‘our’ Maggie’s – sits close to all our hearts. Your support would mean the world.