Maggie’s Yorkshire Is Law Firm’s Charity Of The Year For 2020

A unique charity providing free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer is set for a fundraising boost after being voted Charity of the Year 2020 by a Leeds law firm.

Staff in the Leeds office of Irwin Mitchell have chosen Maggie’s Yorkshire, based at St James’ University Hospital, as their Charity of the Year for 2020.

Each year, staff vote for a good cause to support over the next 12 months via voluntary work and fundraising activities. The initiative is part of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), an independent charity founded in 1997 that has raised more than £2 million for good causes.

Maggie’s Centres follow the ideas about cancer care laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need. This support can be anything from practical advice on benefits and eating well, to the emotional help available from qualified experts.

Since the first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, Maggie’s Centres have continued to grow. The centre at St. James’ Hospital is the 23^rd centre in the UK and the 26^th overall, testament to Maggie’s belief that people should not “lose the joy of living in the fear of dying.”

Expert Opinion

“The Charity of the Year programme is one of the most popular initiatives with colleagues. We have been able to support several good causes over the years and we are delighted to be able to support Maggie’s Yorkshire in 2020.

As a firm, we are committed to supporting the local communities in which we operate and Maggie’s Yorkshire performs an invaluable role in giving cancer patients somewhere to go where they can improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. The Centres also recognise the role of family and friends and it is such a worthwhile cause that we are very proud to support.” Rachelle Mahapatra - Partner

The charity’s importance and value is demonstrated by the way the concept has spread not just throughout the UK, but overseas and online. In order to live more positively with cancer, Maggie’s Yorkshire believes you need the information to be in informed participant in your treatment.

Maggie’s Yorkshire will support in the region of 30,000 visitors a year and will cost approximately £600,000 a year to run. This works out on average at just £20 a visit to support someone living with cancer or their friends and family. There is no time frame to access support - you could have been diagnosed 30 years ago or bereaved last month. 

Amanda Procter, Centre Head of Maggie’s Yorkshire, said: “We are very excited about being nominated by Irwin Mitchell Leeds staff as their Charity of the Year for 2020.

It’s wonderful to see local firms supporting Maggie’s Yorkshire, because without help from firms like Irwin Mitchell, we would not be able to carry out our work in the local community.

Thank you to all the Irwin Mitchell staff who nominated us and we are very much looking forward to working with the Leeds team in the year ahead.”