Maggie’s North Wales ‘tops out’

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.

Maggie’s North Wales breaks ground

A new Maggie’s cancer support centre, designed, commissioned and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation in North Wales has broken ground. The centre is being built in the grounds of Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.

The centre will provide free practical, psychological and emotional support for people with cancer, as well as their family and friends, from across the whole region – including Bangor and Wrexham. North Wales sees 4800 people newly diagnosed with cancer every year. It is expected the centre will be open by the end of 2025.

Samantha Price, 31, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. She is from Flintshire, North Wales but is supported by Maggie’s, Wirral. She said: “I first heard about Maggie’s when my breast care nurse mentioned it to me after my mastectomy, because I was struggling a lot with everything that was happening to me. I went along to Maggie’s, Wirral as that was the closest centre to me, I sat with one of the cancer support specialists and I instantly felt comfortable and just poured my heart out. I felt a sense of relief getting my feelings and emotions out.

“I have been going back ever since and met some great people there. At Maggie’s you are able to be yourself with no judgment and feel less alone.

“Having Maggie’s in North Wales is going to be so beneficial to so many people, especially for people who don’t have the means to travel to another Maggie’s centre.”

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at Maggie’s said:

“We are delighted to have broken ground for our centre in North Wales.

“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 closely with the Steve Morgan Foundation, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to ensure the people of North Wales have the support which has already been making such a difference to people’s lives in other parts of Wales for 13 years.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation has provided £4million 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 2023 the centre provided more than 17,500 support sessions to groups or individuals living with cancer.

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 the development stages thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation.

Steve Morgan said:

“We are delighted to be helping Maggie’s bring its vital cancer support to the people of North Wales, ensuring they will have the warm, welcoming and free expert support of a Maggie’s centre right on their doorstep.

“Our collaboration with Maggie’s is one of the strongest examples of our philosophy of ‘disruptive philanthropy’. It highlights the Foundation’s ability to ‘give’ well, by harnessing our expertise, practical support and commercial experience to maximise the impact of our financial support.”

Glan Clwyd Hospital is managed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and is home of the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.

Carol Shillabeer, CEO of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:

“I am delighted Maggie’s, with the generous help of the Steve Morgan Foundation, has chosen North Wales as the next destination for its network of support centres. We are all aware of the work the charity does to support those with cancer, those who have had cancer, their families and friends.

“I am sure this will be a well-used and valued addition which will complement other charity work which takes place, as well as the North Wales Cancer Centre here at Glan Clwyd Hospital. It will provide another layer of support for people across the whole of our region.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone. I look forward to seeing the final result of all the hard work to come, when the doors open next year.”

Maggie’s, North Wales, expected to open in 2025, will be the third Maggie’s in Wales, with Maggie’s, Swansea opening in 2011 and Maggie’s, Cardiff opening in 2019. These two centres supported people with cancer, as well as family and friends, more than 19,000 times in 2023.

Maggie’s is hopeful that the support of the Foundation will attract other donors and the support of the local community to help raise the £1 million needed to open the new centre.

Maggie’s provides cancer care and support in bright and welcoming centres across the UK, with 28 years of experience. You can just come into Maggie’s. Maggie’s support is always free and you don’t need an appointment or a referral.

Work on new North Wales Maggie’s Centre to start

Maggie’s, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Steve Morgan Foundation are delighted to announce work is starting on the construction of cancer support centre Maggie’s in North Wales.

The new centre has been designed, commissioned and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation and is planned to open in 2025.

Located in the grounds of Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, the centre’s expert staff will support people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, from across the whole region – including Bangor and Wrexham.

The North Wales NHS Cancer Centre at Ysbyty Glan Clywd sees approximately 5,000 people newly diagnosed with cancer every year.

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at Maggie’s said:

“We are delighted to be starting work on our centre in North Wales.

“Without the Steve Morgan Foundation’s incredibly generous support we wouldn’t have been able to bring Maggie’s to North Wales and for that I am so grateful.

“I am greatly looking forward to working closely with the Steve Morgan Foundation and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to ensure the people of North Wales have the support which has already been making such a difference to people’s lives in other parts of Wales for 13 years.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation has provided £4m to design, commission and build the centre in North Wales. This is the second Maggie’s Centre we have supported, following the success of our earlier project to design, commission and build Maggie’s Wirral.

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said:

Glan Clwyd Hospital is within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and is home to the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.

Carol Shillabeer, the Health Board’s CEO, said:

“I am delighted work is starting on Maggie’s centre in North Wales.

“Working closely with the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, also based at Glan Clwyd Hospital, this new facility will extend and enhance the support we offer to people with cancer and their families.

“I also want to give particular thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation for its generous funding of what I am sure will be a highly valued facility.”

Keep an eye on our social channels where we’ll share the progress of the new Maggie’s Centre in the coming months.

The Steve Morgan Foundation funds new Maggie’s cancer support centre

Planning permission has been granted for a new cancer support centre in North Wales, which will be completely commissioned, designed and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation and built in the grounds of Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.

The centre will provide free practical, psychological and emotional support for people with cancer, as well as their family and friends, from across the whole region – including Bangor and Wrexham.

North Wales sees 4,800 people newly diagnosed with cancer every year. It is hoped the centre will open in 2025.

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said:

“Our collaboration with Maggie’s is one of the strongest examples of our philosophy of ‘disruptive philanthropy’. It highlights the Foundation’s ability to ‘give well’, by harnessing our expertise, practical support and commercial experience to maximise the impact of our financial support.”

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at Maggie’s said:

“We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for our centre in North Wales.

“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 working closely once again with the Steve Morgan Foundation, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to ensure the people of North Wales have the support which has already been making such a difference to people’s lives in other parts of Wales for 12 years.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation provided £3m 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 in September 2021.

In 2022 it received 18,640 visits, including 11,025 people with cancer and 5,816 carers.

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, is also in the development stages thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation.

Glan Clwyd Hospital is managed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and is home of the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.

Adele Gittoes, BCUHB’s Interim Executive Director of Operations, added:

“I am delighted planning permission has been granted for this really important development. Working alongside the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, also based at Glan Clwyd Hospital, this will extend and enhance the support for people with cancer and their families.

“I also want to give my thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation for its generous funding of what I’m sure will be a fabulous and highly valued facility.”