£6m cancer centre launch

Construction starts... principal donors Cathy Parfett and Norman Stoller
help to bury a time capsule at Maggie’s at The Christie

Local cancer patients and their families will soon be able to get free practical, emotional and social support at a new advice centre.

Cancer charity Maggie’s started construction on a Manchester Centre in the grounds of the Christie Hospital.

Maggie’s centres are welcoming places with qualified professionals who offer support to anyone affected by cancer.

The £6million centre will be the charity’s largest to date and is expected to see 60,000 people a year.

To mark the launch, a 20ft-high timber frame which will form the main structure of the centre at The Christie was unveiled and a time capsule, containing personal mementos from donors and supporters to the centre and a sketch from architects Foster & Partners, was buried on the site.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that construction of Maggie’s at The Christie has been able to start in earnest, bringing us one step closer to the centre opening its doors.”

Substantial support for the building has come from Norman Stoller and The Stoller Charitable Trust.

Mr Stoller said: “I’m proud to have helped complete the funding of Maggie’s at The Christie which will offer support to ensure Greater Manchester is truly a world leader in cancer care.”