Set to open in Summer 2010, the centre will be there for the 35,000 people living in the region with cancer, plus their friends and families. 

Designed by one of Britain’s most distinguished architects, Sir Richard MacCormac CBE, Maggie’s Cotswolds will be the second Maggie's Centre in England – following the opening of Maggie’s London in April 2008 – and the seventh Maggie's Centre across the UK (there are five Maggie’s in Scotland).

It will also be the first Maggie’s Centre built as a part of the Joy of Living Fundraising Campaign, which launched two years ago with the aim of raising £15million to build five Centres across England and Wales. Sarah Brown, the PM’s wife, is the Patron of the Joy of Living Campaign and welcomed the tremendous news that the first of the five centres is now in development stage.

Sir Richard MacCormac, who is the former President of the RIBA, has created a sensitive design, which converts and extends an existing Grade II listed building. Furthermore, Dr Christine Facer, who specialises in contemporary scientifically-inspired garden landscaping, is designing the garden for the centre.

The building, currently an old ‘lodge’, is located a stone’s throw away from the Oncology Department at Cheltenham General Hospital, where people undergo treatment for cancer.

Maggie’s CEO, Laura Lee, said: "It is so exciting to be at this pivotal stage in Maggie’s history, as we break ground on Maggie’s Cotswolds at Cheltenham General Hospital. We have been successfully fundraising in the region for a few years and it is great that supporters from across the Cotswolds can now witness the fruition of all their hard work. We have been constantly inspired by stories of local people who been affected by cancer, whom have helped us to raise our prolife and I would like to say thank you to all of them for being such wonderful ambassadors for Maggie’s. Maggie’s is going to be a huge asset to the region and fill a vital need, as we help people affected by cancer across the region to build a life beyond the devastating disease.”

Sir Richard MacCormac CBE, of MJP Architects, said: “I am delighted that the Cotswolds Maggie’s Centre has started on site. It is exciting to see the building being built thanks to every one’s fundraising efforts. This is a unique facility, which I’m sure will be well used and appreciated by everybody affected by cancer in the local area.”

Judith Thomson, a local Cheltenham Maggie's supporter, who had breast cancer, said: “During my treatment and recovery I met several people who had struggled with their fears, feelings and what to tell family and friends. How great it will be that our new Maggies Centre will give reassurance and support both to the patient and to family and friends.”

The team responsible for Maggie’s Cotswolds’ have raised an incredible £2million and are fundraising for a further £1million to cover the new centre's running costs for its first two years.

Maggie’s would particularly like to thank the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard Series for running a successful media campaign, which raised £200,000 for Maggie’s.