Falkirk's Maggie's Centre to hold online auction for vital funds

Maggie’s Forth Valley, which opened in Larbert in 2017, has continued to offer support and guidance to cancer patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and now face to face appointments are available in the centre, along with a programme of small groups and classes in a beautiful and welcoming environment.

The centre regularly gives benefits advice, delivers relaxation classes and tons of emotional support from specialists and people in a similar situation, with the aim to help people with cancer and their loved ones take back control.

These services, which run alongside ongoing phone, e-mail and virtual support, do not come cheap and Maggie’s is funded almost entirely by voluntary donations.

Cristina Pouso, fundraising manager, said: “Like so many other organisations our fundraising has been hard hit this year. That’s why we’re so excited about our online auction and raffle. Not only can people bid on everything from a Volkswagen Tourer hire for four days, they can also win the chance to do everything from creating their own gin at Stirling Gin distillery to being presented with a bespoke dolls house.

“The raffle has a range of delightful prizes from champagne and whisky to beauty sets, handbags and Christmas hampers. People can also pledge to support things like our benefits advice sessions, which are more vital than ever right now.”

The first Maggie’s centre opened in Edinburgh back in 1996 and there are now 23 centres in the UK – including the Larbert facility.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the Larbert centre three years ago, Charles Jencks, who with his late wife Maggie realised the need for the centres, said: “Maggie had this plan for a cancer caring centre but although she was a modest woman, after she died I decided they should be known as Maggie’s centre as it personified the self-help that she looked for in her journey.”

Visit www.maggiesforthvalley.aucsys.com/auction or www.justgiving.com/campaign/maggiesxmasraffle for more information on how to bid or donate or call (01324) 868078.