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Perth and Kinross community praised as palliative care unit gets closer to completion
A charity that launched a £3.775m appeal to build a new palliative care unit for Perth & Kinross has hit its target in just two years.
Macmillan Cancer Support launched the appeal to build the new unit to provide nearby specialist palliative care for the people of Perth and Kinross to prevent them having to travel to Dundee to access this service.
The charity was overwhelmed by the response of the local community with money pouring in from individuals, groups, businesses and charitable trusts – including a very generous £1m donation from the Gannochy Trust.
The amazing support meant that an average of £5200 was donated to the appeal every single day from the appeal launch in September 2007 and the appeal close in August 2009.
Director of Macmillan in Scotland, Elspeth Atkinson, said:
'The response from the people of Perth and Kinross has been overwhelming. Everyone at Macmillan is incredibly grateful. I think this response shows just how much this specialist palliative care service was needed and how much local people wanted it. 'It will be a very valuable resource for people living in this area and will make a huge difference to people who will no longer have to travel to Dundee for this specialist treatment.'
'The response from the people of Perth and Kinross has been overwhelming. Everyone at Macmillan is incredibly grateful. I think this response shows just how much this specialist palliative care service was needed and how much local people wanted it.
'It will be a very valuable resource for people living in this area and will make a huge difference to people who will no longer have to travel to Dundee for this specialist treatment.'
Simon Howie, chair of Macmillan's appeal committee, said:
'I’ve been amazed by the response to Macmillan’s appeal and the speed at which money has been raised. I can honestly say that when I took on this role I thought I would have a much more challenging job on my hands. 'However everyone seemed to understand the unit would benefit the whole community and as such were incredibly generous.'
'I’ve been amazed by the response to Macmillan’s appeal and the speed at which money has been raised. I can honestly say that when I took on this role I thought I would have a much more challenging job on my hands.
'However everyone seemed to understand the unit would benefit the whole community and as such were incredibly generous.'
The new specialist palliative care unit is due to open at Perth Royal Infirmary this winter. It will offer residential, day care and drop in services to people with cancer and life limiting illnesses. Services will include terminal care, symptom control, counselling, and complimentary therapies.
Perth and Kinross fundraising manager Neil Kennedy said:
'We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to our appeal. For such a small community to pull together and raise £3.775m is just amazing. We must especially thank our committees who were fantastic at raising money through their own events and by encouraging others to get involved. 'And of course anyone who has been fundraising for the appeal who has hasn’t handed in the money yet can be assured it will still go to the unit if they want it to. 'There are always loads of finishing touches that need to be paid for at the end of any big building project so every penny raised will be put to good use. 'I hope many of those who got behind the appeal will continue to support Macmillan. It’s essential that we keep raising money to fund our other vital services including our nurses and doctors, nurse run helplines and patient grants.'
'We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to our appeal. For such a small community to pull together and raise £3.775m is just amazing. We must especially thank our committees who were fantastic at raising money through their own events and by encouraging others to get involved.
'And of course anyone who has been fundraising for the appeal who has hasn’t handed in the money yet can be assured it will still go to the unit if they want it to.
'There are always loads of finishing touches that need to be paid for at the end of any big building project so every penny raised will be put to good use.
'I hope many of those who got behind the appeal will continue to support Macmillan. It’s essential that we keep raising money to fund our other vital services including our nurses and doctors, nurse run helplines and patient grants.'
To discuss fundraising for Macmillan please contact Neil Kennedy in the East of Scotland Fundraising Office on 01382 226150 or email eastscotland@macmillan.org.uk|.