Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal is jointly run by the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and Maggie’s Centres, with the aim of raising £3 million to fund the building of a Maggie’s Centre in Aberdeen and cover the first two year’s running costs. The P&J are the media partners of Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal, resulting in fabulous coverage of the Appeal progress.

The first £1 million has been raised through a variety of fundraising activities with Appeal donations ranging from £1.65 to £120,000. Support has come from a wide range of areas:
• Colin Montgomerie’s golfing events and dinners in 2010 and 2011.
• Almost 1,000 individuals have given to the Appeal.
• 90 companies are involved, including Simmons International and Malmaison.
• Schools, including Cults Primary, Cornhill Primary, Tipperty, Buchanhaven and Albyn.
• Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen University Students holding events.
• Over 50 churches, Rotary Clubs, WRIs, Knitting Groups, Women’s Guilds, and golf clubs.
• Emergency services and Health professionals.

The financial progress of the Appeal is matched by developments with the design and building process, through the appointment of a design team, lead by the Architects, Snohetta and Halliday Fraser Munro. The next phase for the Appeal is the continued push towards the £3million target, as well as planning permission for the site.

Colin Montgomerie said: “Thank you to all who have digged deep so far to help us reach the £1million mark. The community has really taken Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal to their hearts, with schools, rotary clubs, Universities, local companies, groups of friends and individuals all playing their part to help bring more support to the region for families facing the devastating consequences of cancer. I am humbled by the public’s generosity and together we will bring a much needed Maggie’s Centre to Aberdeen.”

Laura Lee, Maggie’s CEO: “To have reached the £1million mark within a year of launching is fantastic and makes this one of the fastest campaigns we’ve ever run to raise the funds to build a Maggie’s Centre. Having Colin Montgomerie and Colin Welsh at the helm of Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal, and the support of the P&J, has made this possible.

“I have taken great delight in reading the stories in the P&J over the past year to hear about all the innovative ways in which people have been raising funds for the Appeal. From fashion shows to 200mile walks to coffee mornings to ice sculptures of animals...it has certainly been fascinating to follow! I applaud the efforts of all in the community who have contributed so far and encourage others to get involved to be part of this hugely worthwhile Appeal.”

Colin Welsh said: “Reaching the £1m milestone is fantastic news. We are very grateful to all those who have backed the Appeal and created this momentum. I hope that this progress further galvanises support as we only have a limited time to raise the funds needed. So many people have told me how much they or their familites and friends would have benefited from having a Maggie's Centre at Foresterhill and how needed it is. Every donation counts towards making that a reality. I would call on everyone in the local community to consider giving their support over the next 12 months.”