BUILDING work is due to start on a new cancer support centre in the grounds of Clatterbridge Hospital.

Maggie's Merseyside provides free practical, emotional and social support for people living with cancer. Its new facility will be located at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Celebrations have taken place this week as builders move onto site to prepare.

Steve Morgan CBE, chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation, has pledged his support to build a new inspirational Maggie's centre to replace the much used and much loved current interim centre.

He said: "I am delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation is to embark on its biggest capital project to date in partnership with Maggie's.

"So many people have been affected by cancer, or know someone who has been affected by cancer, and the work undertaken by the staff at Maggie's Centres across the country offers invaluable practical and emotional support when people who are being treated – and their families and friends ‐ need it most.

"All of our trustees are delighted to be able to make such a substantial investment and that Alexis Redmond has agreed to chair the board of Maggie's Merseyside to oversee the launch of the appeal to raise funds for the ongoing running costs."

The project is part of a £5million donation to build two new Maggie's centres, one to replace the existing centre at Clatterbridge and then another at Royal Liverpool Hospital in the City Centre.

Since opening the interim centre in the grounds of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral in June 2014, Maggie’s Merseyside has provided emotional and psychological support to over 65,000 visits, both to those who are living with cancer and their families and friends.

It helps people living with cancer across Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.

Among those benefitting from the centre's support is John Blain, who lost his wife to cancer 15 years ago and has visited Maggie’s recently with daughter Katherine following her own cancer diagnosis.

John feels he benefits from talking to others facing similar situations to them. Whilst Katherine has accessed parts of the successful evidenced based programme of support including the social aspect of 'Expressive Arts.'

Katherine said: "Maggie’s is so important to me, there is the sense of an extended family to offer a friendly and much-needed hug especially on the days when I struggle most.

"It is vital we raise the 'Million for Maggie's' to help others find the camaraderie and hope that I have."

Kathy Wright, centre head at Maggie's Merseyside, said "We are delighted ground breaking has begun.

"A new Maggie's Centre will allow our team of qualified professionals to provide high quality support to more people living with cancer at their most vulnerable time, in a warm and welcoming environment.

"We are extremely grateful to the Steve Morgan Foundation and we cannot thank them enough for making that a possibility.

"Without their help we simply could not manage to sustain the level of support with the growing centre visitor numbers as the current interim centre does not have the capacity.

"As a team we are excited for the future of Maggie's Merseyside and we know this will have such a positive impact on our centre visitors."

Liz Bishop, chief executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: "We are really excited that work on the new Maggie's Centre will start soon.

"Maggie’s Merseyside provides a vital service to our patients, enhancing the outstanding care they receive at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and we can't wait to see the new centre taking shape and continuing this important work in new and improved surroundings."

To find out more about Maggie’s and how to fundraise for the new Maggie's Centre, contact Sasha Mathias at sasha.mathias@maggiescentres.org or call 334 4301.

For more on the Steve Morgan Foundation visit www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

Maggie’s Merseyside website is www.maggiescentres.org/our‐centres/maggies‐merseyside