Meeting with music legends

Aug 17 2012 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

A BALFRON mum met with pop duo Hue and Cry this week as they prepared to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Tina Morrison lost her daughter Lisa (34) to cervical cancer earlier this year and has found huge comfort at the hospice, Maggie’s Gartnavel.

The 61-year-old now feels such an affinity with Maggie’s that she is helping to fundraise by taking part in the Glasgow Night Hike in September.

But she also met the Scottish musicians to let them know how their own efforts – performing at a fundraising gala dinner in Strathblane to mark 10 years in Glasgow for the charity – are being appreciated.

Tina said: “Before the Maggie’s Centre opened at Gartnavel Hospital, my husband and I used to just sit and wait in the car while Lisa was having blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

“It was a really difficult time and there was nowhere close by where we could go.

“As soon as it opened, my husband and I stepped through the doors and immediately felt welcome. There was nothing clinical about it and everyone was so friendly. It had such a calming atmosphere.

“Lisa was really appreciative of the support we found there.

“She had been to Maggie’s at the Gatehouse too before she was too sick.”

The duo were obviously moved by the atmosphere of the Centre, the second to be built in Glasgow, and from meeting staff and centre-users. Pat Kane said: “Having come to a Maggie’s Centre gives a far greater emphasis to our performing at the gala dinner.

“I imagine coming to Maggie’s would bring a sense of calm to anyone who had just been diagnosed with cancer, at a time when you would have all kinds of thoughts running through your mind.

“It is also a beautiful, stunning and striking building with an incredible atmosphere. I am so glad we came to experience it first-hand and to meet people who have been helped.”

Pat’s brother, Greg, added: “It is such a friendly place. Some people who come here will need direct help and practical advice but it obviously offers a lot of emotional and psychological help as well, which is incredible.”

Maggie’s community fundraiser, Elizabeth Emmerson, said: “I’m so grateful Pat and Greg took time out to come and visit Maggie’s.

“Maggie’s Centres are the kind of place you can only really fully understand once you have experienced it for yourself and I can see how big an impact being in the centre and meeting centre visitors has had on both of them.

“I am now looking forward to their special performance at the gala dinner even more than before.”

Maggie’s Gala Dinner will be held at Duntreath Castle in Strathblane on September 29.

The cost is £1250 for a table of 10 or £125 for an individual ticket and the night starts at 7.30pm.

For tickets contact Elizabeth Emmerson at Elizabeth.emmerson@maggiescentres.org or call 0141 357 2269.

Maggie’s Glasgow Night Hike takes place on September 7, 2012. For more information contact samantha.booth@maggiescentres.org or call 0141 225 0082.