The candle was presented to HRH at a celebration event today at Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. The approximately 200 invited guests to the event were recognised as people who have gone above and beyond in their support of Maggie’s Centres over the past 15 years.

Maggie’s inaugural centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, with the charity growing to 15 centres either established or in development in 2011. Since 1996, Maggie’s Centres have received more than 400,000 visits to the centres and have developed a programme of support that’s recognised as providing exceptional cancer care.

The scent for the anniversary candle, chosen by HRH from a selection of seven scents, is a relaxing, floral scent. The candle will be on sale at Arran Aromatics stores across the country and the Arran Aromatics online shop, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to Maggie’s.

The candle is available to buy online from Arran Aromatics.

Maggie’s Centres CEO, Laura Lee, said: “Maggie’s is delighted to be supported by Arran Aromatics from the sales of this beautiful scented candle. We are honoured that our President has carefully selected such a lovely scent to reflect Maggie’s relaxing and holistic atmosphere. The candle will be ideal for us to use during our relaxation and stress management classes, to aid our therapists in creating the optimum environment to facilitate relaxation and learning.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the past 15 years and thank everyone who has helped Maggie’s, from fundraisers to volunteers to the media – I, and the thousands of people whom our centres have supported, are extremely grateful. It is an exciting time for Maggie’s, and, as we mark our 15th year, I also want to take the time to look ahead with great optimism and hope as we grow our network of centres across the UK.”

Andrew Russell, Director of Arran Aromatics said: “We are delighted to be able to support Maggie’s in this unique way. With top notes of Violet, Jasmine, Rose, and Lemon, and a heart of Philadelphus and Oris, warming to a base of Honey, Sandalwood, Geranium – it is a wonderful way to reduce stress and promote relaxation.”

Maggie's Centres provide vital support to people with cancer and their friends and families across the UK, with the professional and peer led support, taking place within a home-from-home and inspiring environment.

...ENDS...

For more media information and images, please contact Tricia Crosbie on 0141 341 5678 / 07769 145260 / tricia.crosbie@maggiescentres.org

Notes to editors:

15 years 15 centres

The 15 Maggie’s Centres, either built or in development are: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Highlands, Fife, London, Cheltenham, Glasgow Gartnavel, Nottingham, South West Wales, North East, Oxford, Lanarkshire, Aberdeen and Online.

Maggie’s Edinburgh Centre will hold a 15th birthday part in the Centre on November 15th, where old, current and new supporters will be encourage to come along to the Centre to try out some taster sessions of their programme of support and for tea and cake.

Maggie’s relaxation and stress management classes

Relaxation sessions help people to experience, practice and develop skills to help control anxious thinking, with meditation, visualisation and ‘emergency’ relaxation techniques employed. Led by a professional relaxation therapist, everything within the class is carefully selected to ensure that the environment is in the optimum state for best facilitating learning and relaxation. From home-like soft furnishings to the music to the temperature of the room to the scent of a burning candle – all senses are engaged. Out with the sessions, Maggie’s encourage people to use the skills learned within the class when feeling anxious and worried and where possible to re-create the environment and atmosphere of the sessions.
Arran Aromatics

Founded in 1989 by the Russell family, Arran Aromatics Limited is an independent family owned company, based on Arran – a small Island off the West Coast of Scotland.

Arran Aromatics toiletries and candles are made on the island, using the finest, most natural ingredients available. Caring for environment is important to the company, with all cartons recyclable, biodegradable and made of material from sustainable managed forests.
Arran Aromatics can be found in a network of stockists in more than 40 countries and in some of the finest hotels in the UK and worldwide. Their flagship retail store is located in Glasgow's prestigious Princes Square, with other stores in George Street Edinburgh, Gretna Gateway, and Brodick Isle of Arran.