If you’re a YourGP patient or have ever popped into our private health practice in Edinburgh, you’ll no doubt have noticed that we always have a number of books for you to read and relax while you’re waiting on your appointment.

As well as having books on display for you to read while you’re in the practice, we’ve also been accepting donations for them to raise money for Maggie’s Edinburgh, which provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.

We’ve been lucky enough to receive some wonderful donations over the past 18 months, and like any good story, there was a happy ending this week – as we handed over a cheque to Maggie’s Edinburgh for £270.

All Maggie’s’ centres are built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, and our Medical Director, Lyndsey Myskow, Business Manager, Jacqui Mitchell and Reception Manager Emma McKay visited the beautiful Maggie’s Edinburgh building in the Western General Hospital to hand over the cheque.

Why Maggie’s Edinburgh?

While they were there, Jacqui explained how she first came up with the idea of raising money for Maggie’s.

“I was clearing out my books to take to the charity shop when I came up with the idea that we could put them in our waiting area and offer them to anyone who wished to have them if they would leave a small donation.”

The charity in Jacqui’s mind was not only close to our practice – it was also close to her heart. A friend of hers was treated for cancer at the Western General Hospital and looked after by the staff and volunteers at Maggie’s Edinburgh.

As she explains: “I was giving her Reiki treatments​ before she went into hospital and she had asked me to continue while she was in hospital, but neither of us knew if that would be allowed.

“I’m pleased to say they welcomed both the idea and me each time I went in to see her, so they were at the forefront of my mind to give the money to.”

Thank you: From YourGP and Maggie’s

When we visited Maggie’s Edinburgh on Monday, we met Centre Fundraiser, Mark Cooper, who told us about the history of Maggie’s and how your money would benefit the groups, courses and workshops they run.​

After he had given us a tour of the centre, which was designed by Richard Murphy Architects, said: “We would like to thank the staff and customers at YourGP for raising vital funds for Maggie’s Centres.

“Maggie’s Edinburgh provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Built in the grounds of the Western General Hospital, the centre is a warm and welcoming place with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need to find their way through cancer. The funds raised by YourGP will enable us to continue this vital work.”

From the short time we spent with Mark, it was obvious that he has a passion for what he is doing – and the work that Maggie’s are doing certainly resonates with everyone at YourGP.

We want to thank you once again for all your kind donations. We hope that we can continue to help raise more money for Maggie’s, and that in turn, they can continue to be there for anyone and everyone affected by cancer.

To help us raise awareness of the work that Maggie’s Edinburgh do to support people with cancer and their family and friends – please take a moment to share this blog post with your own family and friends.