Monty met with staff and supporters at Maggie’s Aberdeen to celebrate the city’s cancer care centre’s milestone achievement of 80,000 visits since opening in 2013.
The World Golf Hall of Famer, who is in town to host the 2024 Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International Golf Links, posed for photos and chatted with supporters during the intimate event on Monday evening.
Montgomerie, a longtime cancer care supporter who created the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation in memory of his mother, led Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal – a fundraising drive which helped establish Maggie’s Aberdeen in 2013.
The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation was also the principal fund provider of Maggie’s Lanarkshire.
Montgomerie said “It’s wonderful to be back at this extraordinary centre marking 80,000 visits from people living with cancer.
“I have achieved a lot in golf but it’s the Maggie’s centres that fill me with the greatest pride. To know they are here for people at what is an incredibly difficult time is very powerful.
“It’s nearly 35 years since my Mum died but afterwards, I just wanted to give something back and I know Maggie’s will keep supporting people for many years to come.”
Vera Schroeter, Maggie’s Aberdeen Centre Head, hopes that the visit from the Ryder Cup legend will help raise awareness of the support the centre provides and encourage more men living with cancer to visit their nearest Maggie’s for support – whether they have a diagnosis themselves or are supporting a loved one with cancer.
She said: “We were delighted to welcome Colin Montgomerie once again. We are keen to help men understand how we can support them and hope his visit might help raise awareness amongst men. We recognise that for many people it’s not easy to make the first step of asking for help.
“Maggie’s offers a range of activities for men with cancer or those supporting a loved one, such as getting ready for treatment, dealing with the effects of treatment, accessing financial support, or help with caring for a loved one.”
Maggie’s offers free expert support to people with cancer in its 24 centres across the UK. The professional staff can help with anything from stress, anxiety, treatment questions, money worries and talking to friends and family. The charity also supports family and friends of those with a cancer diagnosis.
There are men’s support groups on offer, as well as specific cancer type groups, exercise, nutrition and one to one support with a psychologist. If you or anyone you know has cancer, they can just come into any of the centres, there is no need for a referral or appointment.
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About Maggie’s
• Maggie’s has nearly 28 years of experience providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK.
• Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming spaces run by expert staff who help people live well with cancer.
• In 2023, Maggie’s handled more than 310,000 visits* to our centres. 45,000 were visits from new people with cancer, while nearly 35,000 were visits from people newly caring for someone with cancer.
• The first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996. Maggie’s now has 24 centres in the UK and a growing international network.
• The majority of Maggie’s funding is from voluntary donations.
• Maggie’s Chairman is Stuart Gulliver.
• Maggie’s Chief Executive, Laura Lee was awarded a Damehood in 2019 for her services to people with cancer.
• “Every cancer hospital needs a Maggie’s” – endorsed by 24 CEOs of NHS Hospital Trusts where there is a Maggie’s.
