The Gillian Saltire House in Largs – a free of use holiday home that is solely for people affected by cancer – opened its doors for the first time this week.

Ryder Golf Cup winner, Sam Torrance MBE, of Largs, attended the opening and welcomed the first of many guests to the beautifully furnished, spacious two bedroom flat.
 
The holiday home is the fruition of heavy fundraising from the Gillian Saltire Appeal Trust – a charity set up in the memory of Largs woman, Gillian Ward, who died of breast cancer in December 2005.
 
Trustees of the Appeal will be making as many people as possible aware of the opportunity to sign up for a family retreat to the house.  Meanwhile, staff at Maggie’s Centre at the Western Infirmary, which aims too equip people with the tools to build a life beyond cancer, will let their Centre users know of the chance to book this.

Gillian’s husband and chairman of the Trust, Les Ward, said: “We started raising money with the objective of buying an electronic bed worth £5,000 in Gillian’s memory. But support in the local community was so high that the bar was raised and we began thinking in terms of not just a bed but walls, a floor and a roof to go with it.  Within 18 months we had raised over £100,000.  Setting up this house has honoured Gillian’s memory in practical and meaningful way and I know she’d be really proud of what we’ve done.”

Throughout the Appeal, Les, who runs the shop Wards in Largs, has been ably assisted by his fellow Appeal Trustees, Brian Tracey, who manages an offshore catering facility and David Ennis OBE, who is an honorary professor of Stirling University.

David commented that the location of the house at Waterside Street, Largs, is very important, as it means that people affected by cancer can enjoy a break, while only being a 45 minute drive from the Beatson or Maggie’s Glasgow.

Maggie’s Glasgow Centre Head, Maureen Fee, said: “Cancer hits families on many levels – physically, emotionally and financially. It is important that during such a difficult period that people still have the opportunity to take a holiday, afterall we all know how much a break can do you the world of good. With the launch of the Gillian Saltire Appeal, families will be able to visit a beautiful part of the country, with peace of mind of being close to treatment facilities and without the usual financial burden of a holiday. This is just wonderful news.”

Lending support to the new initiative is Maggie’s Patron, Kirsty Wark, who said: “The Gillian Saltire Appeal is a wonderful initiative, offering the chance for people to relax and reflect within an environment, which invokes a home from home feeling.  This is similar to Maggie’s in ethos, and I know that supporters of the two organisations are both passionate and inspirational in their fundraising efforts.  I’m sure this will have a positive affect on families across the region affected by cancer.”

The appeal was named the Gillian Saltire Appeal Trust because a huge Saltire was seen in the sky above the family home on the day of Gillian’s funeral. Furthermore, the Ward family have a great affection for Scotland, with Gillian having helped her two sons, Scott, 15, and Jason, 14, and to write a song entitled Under the Saltire.

ENDS


NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

Over 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime.  Maggie’s Centres offer a programme of information, psychological support and relaxation to people with cancer, their friends and families.  Maggie’s is free and can be used by anyone at any time, no appointment necessary.

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.

There are currently five existing centres - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Fife and the Highlands – with plans for 12 centres to be open across the UK by 2012.