Sports Minister Shona Robison hears firsthand about the importance of gentle exercise classes for people affected by cancer during a visit to Maggie’s Dundee
Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee East, was given a tour of Maggie’s Dundee centre and joined in with a tai chi class, which is one of the gentle exercise classes on offer in the centre
The SNP Minister spoke with centre users about the centre’s programme of emotional and practical support, which includes classes to promote exercise and relaxation and improve overall wellbeing, such as yoga and tai chi.
Annemiek Hoogenboom, UK Director of the People’s Postcode Lottery, also attended to represent the charity lottery in their capacity as a key supporter of Maggie’s. Maggie’s receive substantial monetary backing from the People’s Postcode Lottery, which greatly helps towards the introduction of new classes and towards keeping each aspect of Maggie’s programme of support free-of-charge to centre users.
MSP Robison was impressed by the obvious positive impact Maggie’s has made upon the lives of those she spoke with, commenting: “I have visited Maggie’s Dundee on a number of occasions and each time I am moved by the atmosphere of hope and joy within the building. As Sports Minister, I know how important exercise is to people’s wellbeing and it is great to see Maggie’s embracing that as part of their core programme. The release of tension through such classes is of most importance to people going through such emotionally and physically devastating times as cancer. I was also pleased to meet with one of Maggie’s biggest supporters, the People’s Postcode Lottery, to discuss their plans for continued monetary support of Maggie’s and other charities across Scotland.”
The People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £950,000 for Maggie’s Centres across Scotland since launching in January 2008.
It’s a figure that Maggie’s Dundee Centre Head Lesley Howells describes as: “Astonishing-the ongoing and unrestricted support from the People’s Postcode Lottery is invaluable in helping Maggie’s Centres in Scotland to continue helping people build a life beyond cancer.”
Both Annemiek and Lesley expressed their thanks to MSP Robison for taking the time to visit the centre, with Annemiek commenting: “It’s great to see MSP’s such as Shona taking a active interest in Maggie’s, which serves not only her own constituency but the wider region of Tayside also.”
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For further information on Maggie’s Centres please visit www.maggiescentres.org or call Tricia Crosbie on 0141 431 5678.