Maggie’s gets planning go-ahead

Maggie's Oldham at the Royal Oldham Hospital

CANCER patient support charity Maggie’s has been granted planning permission to build a centre in Oldham.

The charity, which provides free practical, emotional and social support for cancer sufferers and their family and friends, will build its new support centre in the grounds of the Royal Oldham Hospital. Work will begin as soon as possible and the centre is expected to open in late 2016.

Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted. It brings us a step closer to the centre becoming a reality.

The new centre will be the charity’s second in Greater Manchester; Maggie’s at The Christie is Didsbury is due to open in the spring.

Dr Roger Prudham, deputy medical director at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This centre is an amazing gift to the people of Oldham and it will really complement the investment that the trust has made into cancer services in this area.”

The centre has been fully funded by the Stoller Charitable Trust Principal donor Norman Stoller said: “I’ve had my own personal cancer experience and know first hand that Greater Manchester has the highest standard of treatment. This personal experience led me to help complete the funding of Maggie’s at The Christie and also to support the building of a new Maggie’s Centre here in Oldham.”

For further information and to get involved in fundraising, visit www. maggiescentres.org.