Maggie's challenge

YOU CAN venture 12 miles or 585, either in person or on the spot. Pictured is Laura Tomlinson, fundraising manager at Maggie's Oldham

LACE up your trainers, get on your bike, or dig out your paddles for this year's Maggie's to Maggie's challenge.

Oldhamers are being encouraged to walk, run, cycle, swim or row the distance between Maggie's cancer care centres across the UK in aid of the charity, either on stationary equipment or by making the journey in person.

And with Oldham's centre set to open in June this year, there has never been a better time to join in with the fundraising campaign.

Laura Tomlinson, fundraising manager at Maggie's Oldham said: "Maggie's to Maggie's is an adventure that you can truly make your own.

"However you choose to complete your challenge, the possibilities are endless because participants can choose when, how, why and where to travel.

"Whatever journey you choose, your efforts will change the lives for thousands of people living with cancer in your local community.

"It's not just a challenge - it's a journey that you won't forget."

With Maggie's Centres at 17 different locations across the UK, the Maggie's to Maggie's challenge enables participants to visit some of the UK's best landscapes.

Locally, residents can challenge themselves to get from the Oldham centre - currently under construction at the Royal Oldham Hospital - to (or from) Maggie's at the Christie in Withington, a distance of 12 miles.

Or, for a bigger challenge, people could tackle the distance between the Maggie's centres in the Highlands and Swansea, a staggering 585 miles.

Maggie's centres are warm, welcoming places, with qualified professionals on hand who offer an evidence-based core programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing for those affected by cancer.

Maggie's Oldham relies on voluntary donations to support the centre and develop its unique, high-quality programme of support.

To find out more about Maggie's to Maggie's and to see how the new centre will support people living with cancer in Oldham and the surrounding areas, you can get in touch with Laura by phone on 07584 518 266 or email laura.tomlinson@maggiescentres.org

For further information about the challenge and to register an interest, go to www.maggiescentres.org/maggiestomaggies