Kathy Wright gets fit for the Deva Divas

MAGGIE'S, the charity which provides free practical, social and emotional support for people living with cancer, is proud to announce that Centre Head, Kathy Wright, is taking on the challenge of a lifetime and competing in the Deva Divas Triathlon. The Deva Divas Triathlon is a short distance, ladies only race and Kathy a Cancer Support Specialist Nurse is taking it on. The event is a well known and extremely popular event and features a 750m swim, a 25k bike ride and a 5k run towards the finish line. The event will take place in Cheshire and will be held on Sunday 14 July with registration slots still available. Over the years we have had many centre visitors take part in the race and raise massive amounts of money for Maggie's but this year, we are leading by example and sending our very own Centre Head out in to the battle field.

Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie's Merseyside said:- "Over the 4 years I have worked for Maggie's, I have been so inspired by both our centre visitors who we support and also the supporters who take on challenges for us. I have seen visitors experience the short and long term affects of their cancer diagnosis and this has encouraged me to set myself a personal challenge. To get fit, compete and to raise as much awareness and funds for Maggie's as I possibly can. I have never competed in a triathlon before and this has proven to be a very difficult challenge, but 1 I have thoroughly enjoyed and it is enabling me to make a difference to people living with cancer.'"

Built in the grounds of Clatterbridge Hospital Maggie's Merseyside is a warm and welcoming place, with qualified professionals on hand to offer an evidence-based core programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Maggie's acts as a safe haven, providing an alternative to the Hospital environment for those that need us most.

Fundraising Manager Sasha Mathias says:- "Our supporters are the reason our doors remain open for anyone and everyone affected by cancer. It is because of them that our team of qualified professionals were able to support over 15,000 visits in 2018. We are extremely proud of Kathy for getting behind our supporters and taking on the triathlon to raise vital funds."

Maggie's Merseyside relies solely on voluntary donations to support and develop its unique, high quality programme of support. The charity's aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends. Maggie's is encouraging more people to take on challenges whether it be the:- Cheshire 10k, Resolution Run Liverpool, The Mersey Tunnel 10k, Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon or join Kathy on her quest and to sign up for the Deva Divas Triatholon.  To find out more about Maggie's Merseyside and to see how the centre supports people living with cancer across Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales please visit the Centre on the grounds of Clatterbridge Hospital, call the team on:- 01513344301 or visit the website.

For more information how you can support Maggie's Merseyside please contact: Sammy on:- 0151 334 4301 or email them via:- Sammy.Barker@MaggiesCentres.Org.

Did you know:-  The 1st Maggie's Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996 and has HRH The Duchess of Cornwall as the charity's President.  Since it opened they now have 21 Centres across the UK and abroad, along with an 'Online Centre' that offers free practical and emotional support for all people living with cancer, along with their family and friends. Built in the grounds of specialist NHS cancer Hospitals, Maggie's Centres are warm and welcoming places, with qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing.  Great architecture is vital to the care Maggie's offers; and to achieve that Maggie's works with great architects like the late Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster, whose expertise and experience deliver the calm, uplifting environments that are so important to the people who visit and work in the Centres. Currently Maggie's relies solely on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support. The charity's aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends, so that is why they are asking for your help and support to fund these centres and the vital work they do.

WORK is to begin on a multi million pound transformation of a former library into a brand new Community Centre, in Liverpool. The exciting project, backed by a ₤3.9m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will see the former Andrew Carnegie Library, in Lister Drive, Tuebrook, Liverpool, has been given a new lease of life. Liverpool City Council, which owns the building and is contributing ₤500,000 to the scheme, has appointed specialist contractors HH Smith & Sons Ltd to undertake the 12 month restoration, beginning on Monday, 1 April 2019. HH Smith have carried out a great number of restoration projects across the north of England such as Gorton Monastery, Norton Priory, Quarry Bank Mill, The Met Theatre in Bury, and is currently working on listed buildings including:- Halle St Peter, Manchester and 1st White Cloth Hall, Leeds.

Nathan Lee, Head of the National Lottery Heritage Fund North West, said:- "The Lister Steps project is a fantastic example of local heritage led regeneration and shows how new ideas can be used to bring historic buildings back to the heart of the local community. This project will provide the Library with a sustainable long term future helping to boost the local economy, provide jobs and training for local people and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration in the area."

The Grade II Listed building, which was vacant for 6 years until 2012 when community based charity Lister Steps, which has provided childcare and family support to local residents for the past 20 years, were selected to take on the building and develop their service. Working in partnership with the City Council, Lister Steps has also secured the services of award-winning architects OMI to oversee the restoration.

Gaynor Williams, CEO at Lister Steps, said:- "We are delighted that work can finally start restoring this important part of our local heritage and bringing to life our plans and aspirations. We are looking forward to the long lasting benefits and opportunities it will offer our community and we'd like to thank National Lottery players and the City Council for their ongoing support."

On completion of the work Lister Steps will move its child care services into the building on a long lease from the Council. The new centre will also generate six new jobs and training opportunities, hosting a raft of facilities including:- a licensed café, an events space, a healthy food takeaway, a co-working space and facilities to help local people socialise, learn new skills and hobbies. For the duration of the contract there will be a range of community outreach and training opportunities delivered by the main contractor in partnership with Lister Steps. This will include a programme of education, training and volunteering activities facilitated by the Museum of Liverpool.

Councillor Alice Bennett, Liverpool's Mayoral Lead for Heritage and Design, said:- "I'm delighted that work is to begin on transforming the old Lister Drive library into a vibrant new Community Centre. Lister Steps have been a fantastic asset in Tuebrook and this new centre will provide them with a platform to develop their skills and support programmes and reach out and transform many more lives."