National Gardens Scheme donates £1.5m towards Macmillan Cancer Support Appeal

The money will help to fund a state of the art cancer centre, to be named ‘The NGS Macmillan Unit’ at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The new centre, which will provide all cancer services and treatments in one place, is due to open in December 2016.

Macmillan’s area fundraising manager for Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, Steve Loane, said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is the toughest fight many people will ever face, so I am absolutely delighted that this generous donation from the NGS has brought us closer to the completion of the build.

“The NGS Macmillan Unit really will transform the lives of people affected by cancer in Derbyshire and so I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who opened their garden for the NGS or who has visited an NGS garden in the last year – you have helped to bring our new centre one step closer to being a reality.”

The NGS, founded almost 90 years ago, has worked in partnership with Macmillan since 1985 and is the charity’s largest single donor.

The donation is equivalent to over half of the £2.5 million Macmillan has committed to raise towards the Chesterfield appeal.

It is the largest single donation to the appeal to date and brings the appeal total to £1.75 million raised so far.

A garden will also be created at the cente offering a “relaxing and holistic space” where patients and carers can spend time.

The NGS’ chief executive, George Plumptre, said: “We are delighted to make such a significant contribution towards Macmillan’s latest fundraising appeal in Derbyshire. Providing such significant support for this project confirms to people the contribution that NGS makes to healthcare in this country as the most significant charitable funder of nursing. On behalf of all NGS garden owners I am extremely proud to put the NGS name to this project.”

Visit: www.macmillan.org.uk/chesterfieldappeal