A team of 30 employees from Scottish Gas will be full of energy today (21 May 2010) as they complete a landscaping gardening project for their charity partner, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Edinburgh.

The employees from the length and breadth of Scottish Gas are returning to the Maggie’s Centre at the Western General to complete the second phase of the project, following two days of landscaping a waste area last year. The makeover will provide a new and improved outdoor space for Maggie’s Centre users to spend time in and enjoy.

Scottish Gas has raised £800 towards the gardening project through fundraising activities around the office.

This is just one such project that Scottish Gas is helping its charity partner complete. In fact, it has already raised an amazing £8,000 for the Centre, which helps fund their programme of emotional and practical support for people with cancer, their friends and families. And more fundraisers are planned, including a fashion show in the summer.

Kevin Roxburgh, Managing Director of Scottish Gas said: “Maggie’s Centres is a charity very close to a lot of people’s hearts at Scottish Gas. A number of us have visited the Centre in Edinburgh and were really impressed by the professionalism of staff and the homely environment it creates for service users.

“Our garden project involves planting alpines and plants, building a rockery and painting the surrounding fence. It will be a great achievement for us and we hope it will be a place for many people to enjoy.”

Marion Taylor, Maggie’s Edinburgh Community Fundraiser, said: “Scottish Gas is a dream partner for us. People at all levels in the company are totally engaged with Maggie’s and what we do. It has been an innovative partnership, with Scottish Gas fundraising for us, offering their expertise for our benefits advice service, and getting stuck into practical projects, such as the landscaping. It’s wonderful to have them at the Centre today and we will keep them refuelled with lots of tea and cakes while they’re hard at work outside. I am sure that our centre users will make great use of this vastly improved outdoor space. Thanks again to the team.”

For more information on Maggie’s Centres please visit www.maggiescentres.org.