Monty's Maggie's Appeal

Last updated : 16 December 2011 By Stand Free Ed

The wristbands will also be on display in the ticket office and club store for supporters to pledge their support and make a generous donation in return for their own wristband.

A club spokesman said: "As a club we are delighted to be working in partnership with this fantastic cause to raise awareness and fundamentally funds."

Launched in June 2010 the Monty's Maggie's Appeal aims to raise £3m to build and run a new Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on the Foresterhill Health Campus.

Over 3000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Grampian each year and Aberdeen is currently the only NHS cancer site in Scotland not supported by a Maggie's Centre.

NHS Grampian recently invited Maggie's to establish a Centre in Aberdeen in order to plug a gap in cancer care provision for patients and families and Maggie's Aberdeen expects to care for up to 40% of all people newly diagnosed with cancer by the time the centre is 5 years old.

The Centre will be run by clinically trained cancer professionals and will operate a unique combined programme of care based on medical evidence and peer support. It will deliver a highly personalised, free, comprehensive, accessible, confidential cancer care service for people of any age with any type of cancer, their care providers, family and friends. It is available for as long as it is needed.

The visuals for the new Centre were released earlier this week. Assuming a successful planning application, the aim would be to make a start on site in August 2012. The construction programme will be around nine months and we anticipate the Centre being complete by late spring 2013. The £3m raised will fund the capital build and help sustain two years of running costs.

One of the ways that people have been helping raise funds and showing their support has been by buying and wearing a Monty's Maggie's Appeal wristband. Hundreds of Aberdonians are already proud owners of the bands and celebrities including Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Rod Stewart, Ruud Gullit, Sir Steve Redgrave, Alan Hansen and Ant & Dec have worn a wristband to show their support.

The Appeal has almost raised half of the total needed and hopes that its partnership with Aberdeen Football Club helps engage fans across the city and beyond.