The Glasgow Restaurant Association asks 'Who Gives a Fork?' for Maggie's

The Glasgow Restaurant Association and its member restaurants are set to hold a series of events to raise funds for Maggie’s. The events, under the title ‘Who Gives A Fork?’ will take place around the city throughout 2011 and the GRA hope to raise over £100,000 from them.

Kirsty Wark, has thrown her support behind the campaign, saying: “Over the last eight years I have been proud to be involved as Maggie’s has grown from a small but perfectly formed charity into a UK-wide network of cancer support centres. Last year they helped nearly 80,000 people find a way to deal with the impact a cancer diagnosis can bring by offering everyone who walked through their doors the highest level of emotional and psychological support. This year I am sure they will be helping even more people, and as the need for Maggie’ s Centres grows so does the determination of all the staff there to make sure that they can offer their programme of support to anyone who needs it.”

Ryan James, chairperson for the GRA, said: “At the centre of every Maggie’s is the kitchen, a welcoming cup of tea and fabulous hospitality provided by both users and paid staff who are as formal or informal as they need to be on an intuitive level. Nutritional advice and diet are a key part of the recovery process. Maggie’s advise on everything from hair loss to benefits... I don’t know the answers but Maggie’s do. Maggie’s offers advice, support and warmth at a time where ones world is collapsing around ones ears: Someone very close to me has used Maggie’s and cannot speak highly enough about them. So Who Gives A Fork was born, encouraging people to Fork Out For Maggies - a campaign to change the face and the fear of cancer one prong at a time.”

Ryan and his team at Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery kicked off the year of activity at the end of January with a ‘pay what its worth dinner’. Over 50 diners enjoyed canapés and champagne and then a three course dinner. It was a great night of food, wine, laughter and serious fundraising for Maggie’s and with Two Fat Ladies kindly covering all costs, an amazing £3,025 was raised for Maggie’s.

With each of the 80 GRA member restaurants set a target of a minimum of £1,000, there are going to be lots of opportunities for Maggie’s supporters to eat well and be entertained through the course of 2011, with the month of May being rechristened Maggie’s May.

Gillian Hailstones, Centre Head for Maggie’s Glasgow said; “2011 is an important year for Maggie’s in Glasgow as we are set to open our second centre in the city at Gartnavel, so we are especially thrilled to be working with Ryan and the GRA to raise vital funds to enable Maggie’s to help even more people to live with, through and beyond cancer. There are going to be some amazing events through the year, so I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on their website and Facebook page.”

Events will be updated on the Who Gives A Fork website.

You can also find Who Gives A Fork on Facebook.