On 10 March, Amanda and Max attended the Topping Out Ceremony for the new Maggie’s cancer support centre in Southampton, to celebrate the building reaching its highest point.
The centre’s design is part of a philosophy established by the charity’s founder Maggie Keswick Jencks that people should not “lose the joy of living in the fear of dying.” AL_A will create an individually designed, inspirational space with an interior that feel likes home. A large kitchen table will be at the very heart of the centre, a place where cancer patients, their families and friends often head to first.
Dame Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive, led the ceremony. She comments: “Maggie had a vision of a place that would allow you to be an informed participant in your medical treatment, offering stress-reducing strategies, psychological support and the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances, in a relaxed warm atmosphere. She immersed herself in the plans to create the centre; the day before she died, we sat together on her bed surrounded by papers and designs. I have met so many extraordinary people in our centres: they are my inspiration and the driving force behind all that we do at Maggie’s so I am absolutely delighted that our Southampton centre will be open to help cancer patients and their families later this year.”
As part of the ceremony, an evergreen bough was nailed to the structure, while a piper played a tune. This act dates back to Roman times, when tree boughs were used to protect houses and bring blessings of the tree spirits.