Opening day for Maggie's Forth Valley

The new Maggie's centre which will provide support for cancer sufferers and their families from across Forth Valley has been opened.
Picture: Michael GillenPicture: Michael Gillen
Picture: Michael Gillen

Built in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert thanks to a £3 million donation from charity Walk the Walk, it has been more than five years in the planning.

Lord Jack McConnell performed the opening ceremony as Maggie’s chief executive Laura Lee, Walk the Walk’s founder Nina Barough and invited guests looked on.

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This is the 20th centre to be opened and was designed by architects Garbers & James.

It is expected to receive 3000 visits in the first year.

Laura Lee said: “It gives me great delight to see our 20th centre, Maggie’s Forth Valley, open and ready to welcome people from across the Forth Valley area who are affected by cancer.

“This beautiful and unique building wonderfully compliments the most stunning setting and I know the combination of the two, along with our expert staff and evidence based programme of support, will give people the peace of mind they need when going through one of the hardest experiences of their life..

“Of course none of this would have been possible without funding and I would like to issue my personal thanks to Nina Barough, Walk the Walk and walkers of The MoonWalk Scotland, as well as the local Forth Valley community, for helping to make this happen.”

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Jane Grant, chief executive of NHS Forth Valley, said: “We are delighted the new Forth Valley Maggie’s Centre is now officially open. Its setting, overlooking the lochan in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, is truly unique and the building has been designed to take full advantage of its natural woodland surroundings.

“Maggie’s wide ranging programme of emotional, practical and social support will complement the services provided by local NHS staff and make a huge difference to local people living with cancer across Forth Valley.”