Respected celebrities from many fields attended a photo-shoot by acclaimed fashion photographer, Mary McCartney, to model a new range of t-shirts produced in aid of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

Sophie Ellis Bexter, Amanda Holden and Jasmine Guinness were just three of the celebrities to visit Maggie’s Centre in London to pose for Mary McCartney, who has herself been closely affected by cancer, having lost her mother, Linda McCartney, to breast cancer.

Emblazoned with the words ‘hope’, ‘joy’ and ‘be’, the t-shirts echo the sentiments that make Maggie’s so special, and their vibrant design reflects the inspirational environment that the centres create. 

There are six Maggie’s Centres in the UK, with each existing to help people affected by cancer to live as well as possible and to discover hope and joy even within the shadow of a cancer diagnosis.  The recently opened Maggie’s Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London provided the perfect backdrop for the photo-shoot with its striking angular exterior and bold red walls – as designed by world renowned architect Lord Richard Rogers.

Mary McCartney said: “I am familiar with the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis can have on the whole family and welcome that Maggie’s recognise the need for providing emotional support to individuals, families and friends going through, what is one of the most challenging times of their lives.  It was wonderful to visit the first ever Maggie’s Centre in England as it was such a bright and inspiring environment in which to hold a photo-shoot.  Due to wonderful staff and great design – Maggie's centre has an inspiring ambience of warmth and positivity.  I’m sure the t-shirts will be popular as they are bold and beautifully define what Maggie’s is all about.”

The t-shirts, which are available in a range of colours for men, women and children, were specially commissioned and designed by contemporary clothes designers, Dandy Star, who are known for their unique colourful, logo printed t-shirts.

Maggie’s Director of Fundraising, Frances Milner, said: “The funds raised from the t-shirt sales will go towards Maggie’s Joy of Living fundraising campaign, which aims to raise £15million to fund the building of five more centres across England and Wales.  Maggie Keswick Jencks said that what mattered most 'was not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying' and everything about Maggie’s reflects that sentiment, from our buildings to our programme of support to our events to our products.  Our t-shirts are now taking our message of hope and joy to more people than ever and are surely the most fashionable way to help Maggie’s transform the lives of people affected by cancer.  I would like to say a huge thank you to Mary and all those who attended the shoot for their invaluable support.”

The t-shirts are priced at £20 for adults and £15 for children. Men’s t-shirts are available in brown (joy) and purple (hope) in medium, large and extra large. Women’s t-shirts are available in green (joy) or purple (hope) in small, medium and large. And children’s t-shirts are available in purple (be) in six different sizes, catering for the ages 0-10 years.

You can purchase the unique t-shirts by calling India Crawford-Legg on 0141 341 5680. The t-shirts are also available to buy from a boutique, family run store, Pedlars www.pedlars.co.uk, which is based at 128 Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London.

You can view all of Mary's photos online in the Mary McCartney Maggie's t-shirts photo gallery. 

…ENDS…
For more media information and photos, please contact Anna Marriott on Anna.Marriott@maggiescentres.org / 0141 341 5675 or Tricia Williams on Tricia.Williams@maggiescentres.org / 0141 341 5678.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR
•    Pedlars, who sell a range of products including clothing, vintage goods and homeware, follow their strapline to choose the products they sell with real love and  care.  There collection can be viewed at www.pedlars.co.uk
•    Dandy Star was founded by Charlotte Day and Rose Bamford, who, due to their frustrations with trends in kids clothing, set themselves a project to design clothes for their children in the summer of 2004. The first t-shirts were hand dyed, in the washing machine, and screen printed with Love. Soon boutique stores across London and further afield were seeking out their line of clothing.  Dandy Star’s collection can be viewed at www.dandystar.com.
•    Over 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres aim to equip people with the tools to build a life beyond cancer. Maggie’s is free and can be used by anyone at any time, no appointment necessary.
•    Maggie’s Centres offer a programme of information, psychological support and relaxation to people with cancer, their friends and families.  A range of services are on offer, include, tai chi, relaxation classes, one on one sessions with psychologists, group therapy, nutrition classes, benefits advice, library of material, etc.
•    The centres are located in the grounds of hospitals and work in complement to the physical treatment patients are receiving within the NHS.
•    There are currently six existing centres – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Fife, The Highlands and London; plus three interim facilities in Lanarkshire, Oxford and South West Wales.