Maggie’s, the charity which provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends, is delighted to announce that following 10 successful years in London, its big fundraising event, Maggie’s Culture Crawl, is coming to Edinburgh.

Part night-walk, part cultural adventure Maggie’s Culture Crawl Edinburgh, sponsored by Brodies LLP, is inspired by the architectural design and programme of support so integral to Maggie’s, as walkers get the chance to explore Edinburgh discovering cultural, architectural and artistic delights along the way.

The event is to be curated by author Alexander McCall Smith who plans to write a special short story to celebrate the route around our capital city.

He said: “Edinburgh is one of the world’s great cities, much loved by visitors and residents alike. Maggie’s Culture Crawl provides an enjoyable and unusual way of seeing some of the city’s well known landmarks, as well as providing access to some of its best kept secrets. It is particularly pleasing that this will also help raise funds for Maggie’s Edinburgh, which continues to provide much needed support for those affected by cancer.”
The event is taking place on Friday 25th September 2015 and will take in 10 miles of the city with exclusive access to a number of landmarks including Parliament Hall, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and the Dovecot Studios before finishing at Maggie’s Edinburgh; all whilst raising as much money as possible for Maggie’s Edinburgh to continue to support people with cancer and their family and friends.

Andrew Anderson, Centre Head of Maggie’s Edinburgh, who will be attending the event, said: “After 10 years of spectacular events in London it’s wonderful to have a Maggie’s Culture Crawl taking place right here, taking in the sights and cultural gems of Edinburgh. As a charity Maggie’s Edinburgh relies on donations to continue to develop our unique, high quality programme of support. I really hope the local community gets behind the event to help us support as many people affected by cancer as possible, as well as their family and friends, across the Lothians.”

Registration for the event is £25 and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £150; a fundraising pack full of ideas to make sure each walker reaches their target will be available from the Maggie’s Centre or online.

Bill Drummond, Managing Partner of Brodies, said: “We’ve had great satisfaction – and fun – over the past 10 years or so helping Maggie’s raise funds for their terrific work and are delighted to be able to get behind this latest initiative. Everyone knows Edinburgh is full of cultural treasures and what better excuse for its citizens to get out there, visit or re-visit our historic environment and get behind some of the scenes we tend to take for granted than supporting Maggie’s.”
Roy Sneddon, 46 and from Edinburgh, first visited Maggie’s Edinburgh with his wife Marion after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006. Roy and Marion found vital support at Maggie’s and Roy continued to visit the Centre after Marion died in 2007. Roy said: “Maggie’s helped both me and my wife through her cancer battle. Both during her illness and after Maggie’s provided amazing understanding and support which continues to this day. I wouldn’t be here without them. When I first went back to the Centre after Marion died I felt guilty, as though the support should be just for the person with cancer but it’s not, it’s for partners, and friends and family too.”

Thresholds: an exhibition of sculptures inspired by Maggie’s Centres
An exhibition of sculptures inspired by Maggie’s, and which will be displayed as part of Maggie’s Culture Crawl Edinburgh, is to be held at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop throughout August as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.
Entitled ‘Thresholds’, the sculptures have been created through a joint project between Creative Scotland, Toby Paterson, independent curator Judith Winters and Maggie’s.

Maggie’s Creative Programme of Support
Maggie’s Centres offer a unique environment, designed by some of the most significant and original architects in the world. All are built with certain fundamental themes in mind and an appreciation of how environment can affect wellbeing. They are spaces that feel warm and supportive whilst also being stimulating and intriguing. They help to inspire people to explore the things they can do to help themselves live with, through and beyond cancer.

Every Centre has a team of qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Elements of this programme include creative support such as Expressive Art and Creative Writing which help people with cancer to get a better understanding of what they’re feeling through the mediums of art and writing. The concentration involved helps people affected by cancer to slow down, relax and process thoughts, allowing the unconscious mind to express through pictures, colours and shapes or metaphors and stories feelings that people with cancer might usually find difficult to put into words.
To find out more about Maggie’s Culture Crawl Edinburgh or to register to take part and to order a fundraising pack please visit www.maggiescentres.org/culturecrawl/find-event/culture-crawl-edinburgh or get in touch on 0300 123 1801 or email at edinburghculturecrawl@maggiescentres.org.