Tails will be wagging this Summer, as Glasgow is over-run by Scottie Dogs. But it’s all for an amazing charity — Maggie’s.
Support Maggie’s Glasgow!
Maggie’s is a nationwide-charity supporting people with all types of cancer. Following diagnosis, people need so much more than medical treatment. They and their families need emotional support. Often, those contacting Maggie’s need practical advice, regarding their employment, their finances, how they are going to navigate this new normal. At Maggie’s, the specialist staff will support and advise those diagnosed with cancer and their carers through one of the most difficult journeys life can deal. They are there as long as is needed.
But with all charities, they need support too. Financial support to keep the vital work they do going. Charity runs, bungees jumps, zip-lines; we may have taken part in one of these activities to support our favourite charities. But here’s a fundraising activity to support Maggie’s all the family can enjoy.
Scotties in the City
This Summer, almost 100 Scottie dogs will appear in Glasgow. Can you spot them all? The Scottie Trail will lead participants around our favourite Glasgow landmarks looking for those oh-so-cute little Scottish icons. Actually some of them are giant! Created by some of Scotland’s most talented artists, each sculpture will be unique. And there’s even room for our aspiring young artists. Maggie’s is asking Glasgow’s school and nursery children to lend a paint-brush yielding hand.
The charity are working in partnership with Wild in Art, an organisation who connect businesses, artists and charities to engage in public art trails. Previously Maggie’s Dundee benefited from a Scottie trail in St Andrews — Scotties by the Sea — in 2023. Art trails are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s hoped that, as in Dundee, who hosted a Maggie’s Penguin Parade in 2018, the visibility of the charity will increase. In doing so, many more people living with a cancer diagnosis and their carers can be supported.
Look out for the Code!
The trail will take in all corners of Glasgow, including the West End and, given the event is running from June till August, the Gods may bestow some good weather for the Scottie-Spottie.
Remember though, once you find a sculpture, look out for the QR code to donate. It will be located on the plinth where the Scottie stands. When the event comes to an end, all of the Scottie’s will come together for a final farewell. And for a small donation to Maggie’s, you can go along for a final pat. Fancy a garden Scottie? If one of these precious pups take your fancy, Maggie’s are running an auction, provisionally pencilled in for September. Many famous faces have bought giant sculptures from Wild In Art charity auctions in the past. Celebrities including Lorraine Kelly have gotten involved. Plus tennis ace, Judy Murray, even bought a giant ‘Andy Murray — Wimbledon inspired’ penguin from a Wild In Art trail in Dundee five years ago.
Support Maggie’s in Glasgow and Beyond
The money raised will fund all Maggie’s Centres across Scotland. And to help them along, Maggie’s need as many sponsors as possible. They also need schools, nurseries and community groups to get behind the charity and raise money through the sculptures they create. A sponsored Scottie that schools get to keep after the fundraiser? Sounds like a win win situation. And with a newsletter in the offing to keep everyone up to date, visit the site and sign up now.
It costs around £600,000 per year to run a Maggie’s Centre. The funding comes almost entirely from voluntary donations. Their services are free to people living with cancer. The services include compassionate advice from cancer support specialists, advice on the very real issues of understandable anxiety and stress from the centres Clinical Psychologists, as well as advisors to discuss the practical difficulties which may come with a cancer diagnosis.
30th Anniversary Vision
The charity was founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks who, following a diagnosis of breast cancer, was moved to a windowless corridor to process the news. Maggie and her husband Charles Jencks knew that there had to be something better, somewhere better for people living with cancer, to go. The pair, along with architect friends, designed the first blueprint for the centres; the first opening in Edinburgh in 1996.
Since then, the design and nuance of a Maggie’s Centre has been applauded Worldwide. The ‘healing architecture’ allows the buildings to fit perfectly into their surroundings, a place that flows. A place to breathe.
The aesthetic of the building is mirrored by the staff inside, who continue to be at the forefront of life-changing care. Nothing hurried, time to process.
Maggie’s vision in this celebratory year, is to have 60 centres across the UK, providing access to their specialist care at every major NHS cancer centre. For with, sadly, the cancer rate set to increase over the next 30 years, this vision simply has to become a reality.
And you can help.
Friends of Maggie’s
With a target of £30 million to raise to help support more people to live well with and beyond cancer as well as family and friends impacted by cancer, fundraisers like the Scottie Trail make a huge difference.
Or you can also become a Friend of Maggie’s, support their work in Glasgow, fundraise, volunteer, or get your business involved HERE.
So, get ready for the Scottie Trail, get your school involved, your business involved as a sponsor, or simply get those walking shoes on. It’s going to be a terrific trail.
For more information on how to get involved with the Scottie Trail, click HERE.
