There are two million people living with or after cancer today and this figure is steadily rising, with over 300,000 new diagnoses each year. A diagnosis of cancer brings with it tough questions, exhausting treatment and difficult emotions that can range from anxiety to loneliness and isolation. These challenges affect not only the person with cancer, but their family and friends too. Through a network of 20 Centres, built in the grounds of NHS hospitals across the UK, Maggie’s provides visitors with a unique evidence based programme of support that has been shown to strengthen physical and emotional wellbeing. Maggie's Centres are designed by leading international architects to be warm, welcoming places full of light and open space. They are places to find free practical advice from professionally qualified experts as well as creating opportunities to meet other people in similar situations or simply to sit quietly with a cup of tea.

Maggie's Manchester opened just over a year ago and is located close to the Christie Hospital. The stunning building was designed pro bono by the world renowned architect Lord Norman Foster who was born in Didsbury and who himself had cancer. The landscape design was gifted by the English garden designer and past Chelsea winner, Dan Pearson.

I became chairman of Maggie's Manchester over four years ago and with my board colleagues raised £6m to cover the capital cost of our Centre from a small group of generous philanthropists in the region. The emphasis has now turned to raising money to support the annual running costs of the Manchester Centre which will be almost £1m each year when it is running at full capacity.

We have made an encouraging start with some good sized donations from wealthy individuals and corporates and a multitude of community fundraising activities. The next major event is Maggie's Culture Crawl being held in the city on Friday 29th September. We expect that over 200 people will join this 10km walk through some of the cultural spots of Manchester starting at 18:30 from the Centre and ending up at the Old Granada Studios around 11pm via Whitworth Art Gallery, RNCM, St Mary's and several other places. We hope to raise over £25,000 and I have been challenged by my colleagues to get out there and do it as well as find another £5,000 which I am delighted to accept. 

Will you please help me raise at least £5,000 for this deserving cause?

Jim Martin