Royal date for official opening of cancer support centre

A new Maggie’s cancer support centre in Manchester will be given a Royal seal of approval when it is officially opened by The Duchess of Cornwall on 26 April.

The new centre, built in the grounds of The Christie Hospital in Withington, will bring the charity’s free, practical, emotional and social support to the people of Greater Manchester for the first time.

Known as Maggie’s at The Robert Parfett Building, the centre has been designed by acclaimed architects Foster & Partners, with complementary landscape design by Dan Pearson.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive, said: “I’m honoured to be welcoming Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall to the opening of Maggie’s at The Robert Parfett Building.

“We are incredibly grateful to Her Royal Highness’s further continued support of Maggie’s and the difference it makes to those who visit and work in our Centres.

“It is wonderful that we will now be able to offer the people of Greater Manchester, Maggie’s practical, emotional and social support.

“It has been incredible to watch the centre come to life and for that I would like to thank Foster + Partners and Dan Pearson for their beautiful designs and all of the staff who have been instrumental in making this centre a reality.”

Maggie’s at the Robert Parfett building will be the charity’s 19th completed centre across the UK and internationally, as well as offering a further online centre for extra support.

A second Manchester centre — at the Royal Oldham Hospital — has also received planning permission and construction on site is set to start soon.

The centres will provide a full programme of support, including psychological support, benefits advice, nutrition workshops, relaxation and stress management, art therapy, tai chi and yoga.

Maggie’s at The Robert Parfett Building has been developed to enhance the care and support already on offer at The Christie, Europe’s largest single site cancer centre.

Laura continued: “We have gifted the naming rights to Cathy Parfett and her children whose donation was made in memory of her husband, Robert Parfett, who sadly died in 2013.

“Special thanks must also go to The Stoller Charitable Trust, whose incredibly generous donation completed the funding of the centre and which will also create a fully funded second centre for the region in Oldham.

“Thanks also to The Dr Mortimer and Thersea Sackler Foundation which kicked off our campaign with a significant donation in 2011.”

Maggie’s relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of warm and welcoming centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support delivered by qualified professionals.

The charity’s aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.

The Duchess of Cornwall became president of Maggie’s in November, 2008, following her visit to Maggie’s Edinburgh in July that year.

To find out more about Maggie’s at The Robert Parfett Building and its programme of support, opening hours or get involved with fundraising visit:

www.maggiescentres.org/thechristie