The Maggie’s Patron and Scottish broadcaster was joined by approximately 200 guests, with VIPs including, Gleneagles chef, Andrew Fairlie, Edinburgh International Festival Director, Jonathan Mills, and renowned Scottish artist, Archie Forrest.

Many prominent Scots from the worlds of business and arts attended the glittering event, which raised a phenomenal £30,000 for the charity, which provides emotional, psychological and practical support to those affected by cancer.

The evening included a grand auction, hosted Kirsty Wark.  Top bids on the night were for a cooking session with Andrew Fairlie and dinner and overnight stay for eight at Gleneagles, as well as a scenic helicopter ride to Iona, before dining at the 18th Century Osyter Inn – both went for £3000. 

Other sought after auction prizes included a four ball at the esteemed Dundonald Links Golf Course, followed by an overnight stay at the Marine Hotel, a specially commissioned portrait by leading figurative artist Lesley Banks and a unique team building experience for eight people in the stunning Rothlemurchus Forest to name but a few.

Furthermore, the silent auction throughout the evening saw guests bidding on delights such as a signed copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, a limited edition Ultimo bra signed by Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud and limited edition Arran Whisky.

A popular bid on the evening was to pay for diesel for a period of time for a fantastic new service, Maggie’s Getting a Lift - where service users are brought to and from Maggie’s in a people carrier.

Kirsty Wark, who has been a Patron of Maggie’s for over five years, said “We were treated to a fabulous evening on Friday in one of Glasgow’s most spectacular venues.  And the evening was made even more special due to the generosity of all those who attended – helping us to raise the fantastic sum of £30,000 for such a worthwhile cause.

“I am proud to say that I have been involved in Maggie’s from the very beginnings of the Glasgow Centre and I have witnessed the essential work that they do in supporting people affected by cancer to live a life beyond the disease.

“The remarkable work done at the Maggie’s Centres is inspirational, with them offering emotional and pyshcological support to those affected by cancer, in a welcoming environment.

“It is only through events like this and the generosity of people that Maggie’s is available free of charge to anyone affected by cancer.”

Maggie’s Centres’ Glasgow Community Fundraiser, Kirsty Hodge, said “Since we opened our doors five years ago, more than 30,000 people have benefited from our unique cancer programme.  We rely entirely on donations to run our service so the funds from this event will help greatly towards us making a difference to many more people’s lives across the West of Scotland.

“Our thanks go to Kirsty for her continued support and all those who attended and made the evening a massive success. A wonderful time was had by all.”

Guests enjoyed a highly interesting and amusing after dinner speech from Jonathan Mills, followed by a speech from Maggie’s Glasgow Centre Head, Maureen Fee, and a screening of a short film on the innovative charity. The entertainment was provided by The Rat Packs Back, whose polished renditions of classics from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr went down a storm.

More than 30,000 people have visited Maggie’s Centre in Glasgow since it opened in the gatehouse of the Western Infirmary on Dumbarton Road in 2002.  This year alone more than 12,000 people have visited the Centre.

Maggie’s Centres is currently celebrating ten years of offering free of charge psychological and emotional support and practical information. Maggie’s founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks, wanted to create a welcoming and home-like environment for people affected by cancer to visit and use as their own.  Through her own diagnosis and treatment for cancer, Maggie was profoundly aware of the need for people being treated for cancer and their family and friends to access support from experienced cancer support specialists alongside finding out practical ways to manage the stress and anxiety associated with the disease through relaxation classes, group workshops and Tai Chi. She also recognized the need for people affected by cancer to access practical information, such as benefits or nutritional advice to help them to build a life beyond the disease.

Ends

For further information contact Anna Marriott on 0141 341 5675 or email anna@maggiescentres.org or contact Tricia Williams on 0141 341 5678 or email tricia@maggiescentres.org.

Editor’s notes:

•       Over 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime and medical advances mean that more people are living longer with a cancer diagnosis.  Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres aim to equip people with the tools to build a life beyond cancer.
•      There are five existing Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Fife and the Highlands - offering emotional and psychology support and practical information to people who are either personally affected by cancer or know someone who is and would like to be of more support.  In addition, an interim facility will open in Lanarkshire before the end of the year.  The first centre south of the border will open in London in April 2008, with a further five Centres planned throughout the UK in the next five years.
•       Maggie’s Centres work closely with the cancer units at the NHS hospitals where they have Centres to ensure that the information and support it provides complements the treatment given in the hospital.