Following the excellent progress of the building of the new Maggie’s cancer support centre in North Wales, we were thrilled to celebrate its ‘topping out’ – a traditional ceremony to mark the completion of the highest part of the building.
The Maggie’s centre is being completely commissioned, designed, built and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation in the grounds of Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The milestone was marked by nailing a ceremonial bough to the roof.
Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s said:
“We are delighted our North Wales centre has ‘topped out’, meaning support for people living with cancer in North Wales is a step closer.
“Without the Steve Morgan Foundation’s incredibly generous support in commissioning, designing, building and funding we wouldn’t have been able to bring Maggie’s to North Wales and for that I am so grateful.
“The Steve Morgan Foundation has committed to building three new Maggie’s centres – including the one in North Wales – which is a truly phenomenal act of philanthropy.
“I am greatly looking forward to continuing to work with the Steve Morgan Foundation, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to open our new centre later this year.
“Maggie’s is there for everyone who needs it, and we are free with no appointment or referral necessary. We know this makes a huge difference to helping people cope with their diagnosis – from getting ready for cancer treatment, help with potential side-effects, support after treatment, providing benefits advice or coping with advanced cancer.”
The Steve Morgan Foundation has provided £4 million to build the centre in North Wales and has already commissioned, designed, built and funded Maggie’s, Wirral which officially opened in the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral in September 2021. In 2024 the centre supported people more than 18,000 times.
A third Maggie’s centre in Liverpool – to be built within the grounds of the New Royal Liverpool Hospital next to the new Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool – is also in development thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation.
SMF Chairman, Steve Morgan, said:
“This is an exciting milestone in the build of the new Maggie’s centre and we are delighted with the progress, which keeps us on track for the planned opening in the Autumn.
“The new centre will ensure the people of North Wales have easy access to the vital cancer support that Maggie’s provides and we are pleased to be able to make that happen. The ethos of the Foundation is to ‘give money away well’ and our partnership with Maggie’s is a prime example of how we can harness our expertise, practical support and commercial experience to maximise the impact of our financial support.
“We are very much looking forward to when Maggie’s North Wales opens its doors and to continuing our partnership with Maggie’s through the development of the centre in Liverpool.”
Glan Clwyd Hospital is managed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and is home of the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.
Deputy Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Gareth Williams, said:
“This is a really significant day for Maggie’s North Wales, our Health Board and the Steve Morgan Foundation.
“We are delighted to be working with such notable partners on a facility which will complement the charities we already work with – and will no doubt enhance the emotional care, support and wellbeing of cancer patients, their families and friends. Adding the expertise and knowledge Maggie’s brings, for the benefit of our population, is something we should celebrate. Today brings Maggie’s, North Wales a major step closer.
“Of course, this would not be possible without the generosity, resource and experience of the Steve Morgan Foundation. There’s surely no greater philanthropic act than providing a place of safety, support and comfort to those who are often going through their most challenging life experiences.
“I, my fellow Board members and our colleagues across the organisation look forward to the doors opening for everyone later this year.”
Maggie’s has 30 years of experience and expertise providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming and are run by expert staff, who help people live well with cancer.
To find out more about Maggie’s in North Wales and how you can support the centre please visit https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-north-wales/ .
Photo credit to Liverpool Chinatown Photographic Society.