Solicitors choose Maggies as Charity of the Year

Posted on January 6, 2020

Maggie’s Oldham has been chosen as charity of the year 2020 by staff at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and over 12 months the firm will be raising money, volunteering and taking part in a whole host of sponsored events to boost the cancer charity.

Based in the grounds of the Royal Oldham Hospital Maggie’s provides practical and emotional advice supporting people and their families and friends. The help ranges from counselling, benefits advice, information on making a Will, exercise, yoga, craft and creativity, or just a friendly chat and a cup of tea.

Suzanne Wright, of Pearson, who will be coordinating the charitable year, said a recent visit to Maggie’s was inspiring: “Most of us know someone who has had cancer, or indeed have had it ourselves, it’s a cause close the heart of many of our staff and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to support the charity in 2020.

“I was blown away when I entered Maggie’s for the first time, it truly is a unique place but the most sobering statistic for me was that in 2020 they expect 80,000 people in the wider Oldham Borough to be diagnosed with cancer – I was staggered – but 50% of them are curable, manageable or can be lived with and the work that Maggie’s does is crucial to this support network, as their founder said it’s about not losing the joy of living,” said Suzanne.

The firm already have a team of volunteers ready to help practically at the centre from January onwards. A cancer in the workplace employment seminar has already taken place, workshops and advice sessions on Wills and LPAs will give much needed advice, staff will also do a whole host of sponsored events and volunteering at Maggie’s.

Commenting on the support, Laura Tomlinson, Centre Fundraising Manager from Maggie’s said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers. Already our cancer in the workplace workshop was a success and we are looking forward to a busy 2020 with staff from the firm really getting to know Maggie’s, volunteering at the centre and raising money and of course awareness.”

Maggie’s is a charity and receives no external funding from Government or the NHS. Here is a list of the costs to run the centre and how all charitable funds are raised:

£100 pays for a two hour Managing Stress session for up to 10 people, exploring ways to relax and find calmness in day to day life when dealing with the challenges of cancer.
£140 supports our exercise classes to help build and maintain strength and confidence while living with cancer.
£170 allows us to provide ongoing bereavement support by a professional to those who are recently bereaved as they start to rebuild their lives.
£300 pays for a Cancer Support Specialist for an entire day so that they can provide immediate advice and support to up to 100 Centre visitors.
£2,400 is enough to keep a Centre open for a day and allows us to provide all of the above support to people with cancer.

“We already have a number of local businesses working with us and it’s great to welcome Pearson Solicitors on board for the New Year,” added Laura.

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

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