HfS Chief Executive made the first strokes of paint towards the external makeover of Maggie’s Edinburgh’s, whilst discussing with staff members the power of the right environment on the wellbeing of individuals.

Maggie’s was chosen by HfS as the charity prize draw beneficiary at its recent Annual Lunch, due to the shared belief between the two organisations of the power that a quality built environment has on positive social wellbeing. 

HfS, which is committed to improving the quality of living in Scotland by ensuring that people have modern homes in the places they want to live, raised £9,000 for Maggie’s at its largest event yet which was recently held at the EICC and attended by over 750 guests – the largest ever gathering of Scottish home builders.

Maggie’s Edinburgh Centre is located on the grounds of the Western General Hospital.  Now nearing its twelfth birthday, it is due for maintenance work, including the repainting of the entire exterior of the centre, the re-touching of wood, the installation of double glazing and the purchase of new internal furnishings – and this looks set to total just under £9,000.

Chief Executive of HfS Jonathan Fair, will today visit the stunning centre, which was designed by Edinburgh-based architect Richard Murphy, to tour the facility and to crack open the first tin of paint for the makeover.

Jonathan Fair said: “Homes for Scotland believes that everyone deserves a proper home and understands the importance that surrounding environments play. Maggie’s should be praised for creating the ideal environment for people to receive information and support whilst facing illness and going through one of the most challenging times of their lives. The home building industry employs 100,000 people in Scotland, many of whom will have been touched personally by cancer.  We therefore wanted to give something back and Maggie’s is a perfect fit for us.”

Maggie’s Edinburgh Centre Head, Andrew Anderson said: “We are most grateful for the money raised by HfS as this means we can carry out the essential repairs, whilst focusing other fundraising efforts on expanding our support services. We are also pleased for the opportunity to be associated with such a vitally important industry in Scotland.  The design of Maggie’s centres is a crucial component of our vision, as we want people to feel welcomed by the centre and feel encouraged by the sight of the building to make that first, and often daunting, step through the front door for help.  Maggie’s Edinburgh was the first centre and the subsequent five Maggie’s facilities to open across Scotland are all quite different in design, yet each evokes the same feelings of homeliness, safety, warmth and curiosity within visitors.”

…ENDS…

For more media information, photography or to set up interviews, please contact Maggie’s Media Assistant, Tricia Williams on 0141 341 5678 or email tricia@maggiescentres.org.

NOTES TO EDITOR
•    Architect Richard Murphy transformed former stables into the fully functional Maggie’s Edinburgh and subsequently won the RIBA Department of Health National Award 1997.  It wasn’t long before it was realised that more space was needed and following a fundraising campaign, a much needed extension was added onto the space doubling the size of the existing centre. 
•    Over 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres aim to equip people with the tools to build a life beyond cancer.  Maggie’s is free and can be used by anyone at any time, no appointment necessary.
•    The are five Maggie’s Centres in Scotland plus one interim facility and Maggie’s has just opened its first centre south of the border at Charing Cross Hospital in London.
•    Homes for Scotland represents and consists of members drawn from across the country's private housing development industry.  HfS members build 95 per cent of homes for sale in Scotland. (www.homesforscotland.com)