2008 Fundraiser

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THIS FANTASTIC CENTRE!
The main donations will be on Saturday, 25th October 2008, during the Pink Dinner Party, however any contribution prior to that date would be greatly received by Maggies.


Maggie’s Highlands provides information and support for anyone affected by cancer - for anyone who has, or has had cancer, for their family, their friends and their carers

Maggie’s is first and foremost a homely, relaxing place to be in. We are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Maggie’s is a place where people affected by cancer can drop in at any time for a coffee and a chat, to learn more about their cancer, explore our programme of support, or just have a quiet somewhere to sit.

Provision of emotional support

Our programme of support includes relaxation & visualisation, stress management, Tai Chi, Yoga, support groups, expressive art and nutrition workshops. The team consists of a Nurse Consultant, an Information & Support Specialist and a Clinical Psychologist.

• Relaxation and visualisation sessions are designed to make space to help people find some peace and calmness. Relaxation is guided by talking through the relaxation of muscles one by one and letting tension drain way. Some visualisation is used which involves talking through a series of images, often including colour and nature. As well as promoting well-being, this approach can also be used to help tackle problems and sources of stress.
Cost: £2400 per annum

• Nutrition workshops promote a healthy balanced and varied diet. The key components of the workshop include the importance of good nutrition to overall well-being, an overview of a healthy diet, the role of antioxidants, phytochemicals & essential fatty acids in the prevention & protection from cancer, and making the most of the diet in simple and easy to achieve ways.
Cost: £1200 per annum

• Tai Chi & Chi Kung exercises help relaxation, which helps to conserve energy. Tai Chi and Chi Kung use a well-balanced interplay of tension and release that is usually associated with general well-being and emotional stability. From motion we can obtain serenity and stability by the release of tension through the continuous shifting of weight from one foot to the other.
Cost: £3600 per annum
• Expressive Art develops a better understanding of what is happening to us. The concentration involved in making an image helps us to slow down, relax and gather our thoughts. Our unconscious minds may find it easier to express our feelings visually in pictures, colours and shapes, than in words. We may learn something from what we have created which helps us feel more confident about what we are going through.
Cost: £4800 per annum







Provision of information support

Maggie’s Highlands has a library covering subjects such as nutrition, cancer treatments, caring for someone with cancer, stress management, and other practical help and resources.
Cost: £1500 per annum

Publications such as those produced by Cancerbackup are available free to anyone who visits the centre, so that they can take them home and read them in their own time.
Cost: £2000 per annum

Cost per Visit

Looking at the cost of running Maggie's Centres - from offering a welcoming cup of tea to the provision of vital support services - we calculate that it costs only £24 to fund each visit.

In 2007 we had 4546 visits to Maggie’s and this will increase in 2008

November News

Well, November News actually covers a little of October since our Playboy Bunny Pink Night & our Pink Dinner Party, both raising money for Breast Cancer Research, were held at the tail end of October. Money raised is in excess of £5200.00 so a huge, 'Thank You' goes to all those who attended the events, raised money on the casinos, got involved in the raffle & also the impressive auction. The generosity offered by so many individuals is staggering & without so much support & assistance, my job would have been quadruple as difficult!

With the Pink Weekend going with a bang we rolled into the following week somewhat shattered. However, energy was found to dress up yet again for our Halloween Party on 2nd November, followed by the Family Fun Day for our Bonfire Night on 3rd November. Both were a great success with the latter involving tarot card readings, face painting, magic, tricks, treats, an impressive bonfire & a firework display.

The first few weeks of November have proved to be busier than expected, noticeably so due to a few seasonal closures of local hotels. The restaurant is continuing to bustle with bodies over the weekend so we shall see what the next couple of weeks have in store. The staff continue to work hard with a few off on holiday. Next, is our preparation for full on festivities, whether private or corporate.

October Drawing Closer...

Where has the last month gone? Actually, where has the year gone - it will soon be 2008! But...let us not detract from the reality that we still have 3 full months to complete before we get into the realms of New Year promises & resolutions. With this in mind & rather than wait until December, our focus is on a month of giving - bringing the festive spirit forward into Autumnal action.

Visitors can benefit from some added value with the Lovat offering a Deluxe (£399) or Master (£498) Bedroom, 3 nights for the price of 2, Dinner Bed & Breakfast - http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/.

The Pink Party is also proving popular with only 11 remaining tickets to be snapped up. The Lovat will be wearing it pink over Friday, 26th & Saturday, 27th October 2007, to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign. The Friday is more of a fun night for the community as anyone can come along, paying just £2.00 entry for music, fancy dress & dancing. The Saturday however, is a pre-booked ticketed event offering a complete party package - champagne, canapés, gourmet dinner, wine tasting, singing, dancing, entertainment, casino tables, games & fireworks. This is a showcase event, with the main push for Saturday, 25th October 2008. Plans include a marquee on the lawn, 120 guests, Eden Court Bugsy Malone stage-show, music, dancing & Head Chef, Paul Devonshire, from Gleneagles' Strathearn Restaurant has confirmed his attendance to cook at the event.

Suppliers' & associates' generosity towards this & the next event has been exhausting. I have been bowled over by everyone's kindness & positive attitude in getting involved in raising money for what is an exceptionally good cause, that has affected so many people, either first, second or third hand. A huge, 'Thank You', collective hug & thumbs up, goes to all those donating gifts, produce & props as well as even hand making some pink items specifically for the event. I cannot thank everyone enough, instead we will all have to have such a sensational celebration to balance this good will!

As a final note - if anyone is venturing up to Loch Ness - bring your Winter woolies - the crisp chill has arrived but to counter this, the log fire is burning as I type. O' to a dram or cup of tea as you warm your cockles & toast your feet!