Radio and TV personality Fred MacAulay will today mark a major milestone in the development of the Macmillan Perth and Kinross Palliative Unit and Day Care Service by breaking the ground for the new building.
The Perth-born comedian will visit the site of the development at Perth Royal Infirmary following the final approval of the project by the Scottish Government and the appointment of the building contractor. Work on the site will now begin within weeks.
Fred said:
‘Anyone who has lived in Perth knows what a strain it must be for people to travel miles to Dundee for cancer care and what unnecessary stress this must put on not just the person with cancer, but their friends and family as well.
‘That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to lend my support to Macmillan’s fundraising appeal for this superb facility, which will make such a difference to people affected by cancer in Perth and Kinross.’
Fred will be joined at Perth Royal Infirmary by Macmillan’s Director for Scotland Elspeth Atkinson, who announced that Macmillan will be donating £1 million from central funding to the Perth and Kinross Appeal.
She said:
‘We know that we’re asking a lot of people in Perth and Kinross to raise such a substantial amount of money for the building of the specialist palliative care unit and we’ve been amazed at the response from the local community. We are delighted to be able to reinforce our commitment to this project and to underpin the generosity of local fundraising with this donation, which matches the fantastic contribution of £1 million from the Gannochy Trust.’
The Macmillan million brings the current total in the Perth and Kinross Appeal to £2.8 million, meaning there is just under £1 million still to raise. Money has been pouring into the Appeal since it was launched last September. In February, the Gannochy Trust donated £1 million and in April the Macmillan House Perth Support Group contributed £150,000. The local community and local businesses have got right behind the Appeal, raising an incredible amount of money in the nine months since it was launched last September.
Simon Howie, Chair of the Appeal Committee, said:
'I’ve been amazed by the response to Macmillan’s Appeal and the speed at which money has been raised. It shows just how important this unit is to people in Perth and Kinross. Macmillan’s donation has taken us even closer to hitting the appeal target of £3.775m. However £1 million is still a lot of money to raise so, with building work about to start, let’s keep the momentum going.’
The new specialist palliative care unit, due to open at Perth Royal Infirmary in winter next year, will offer residential, day care and drop in services to people with cancer and life limiting illnesses. The facility will offer services including terminal care, symptom control, counselling, and complimentary therapies.
If you would like to donate money to Macmillan Cancer Support’s Perth & Kinross Appeal, or organise a fundraising event for the appeal, contact the East of Scotland Fundraising Office on 01382 226150 or email eastscotland@macmillan.org.uk