In a keynote project to mark The Herald's 225th year, the newspaper is teaming up with Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres in a campaign that will provide lasting support for those across Scotland affected by cancer. We are inviting readers to become Herald Friends of Maggie's. You can do this as an individual, as part of a group or as a company to support the charity's work in 2008 and beyond.

Personal Friend an individual who supports Maggie's by monthly donations and taking part in events.

Active Friend­ a group of volunteers who represent Maggie's in their area and plan events to raise money in local communities.

Corporate Friend a company that supports Maggie's through varied initiatives from payroll giving to putting teams forward for our sporting challenges or making Maggie's your Charity of the Year.

Maggie's Centres were the vision of the author and garden designer Maggie Keswick Jencks when she herself was treated for cancer. She recognised the difficulties with accessing information and ongoing support, and her vision now helps people to cope when faced with a diagnosis of cancer. Since the first centre was opened in Edinburgh in 1996, the unique approach has quickly spread with five now open across Scotland.

Maggie's Centres are drop-in information and support centres for anyone who has, or who has had, cancer. They are also for their families, their friends and their carers. Each centre is located in the grounds of a major cancer hospital within short walking distance of the oncology department, and is open weekdays from 9am-5pm.

Although physically close to the hospital, walking into Maggie's is like walking into a different world, with no waiting rooms, no appointments, no uniforms. Many people come in before, after or in between appointments, and say even a short stop in Maggie's will relieve the stress of a hospital visit.

Maggie's Centres are known for their remarkable approach, providing support from cancer professionals in a determinedly non-institutional environment.

People are invited into the kitchen for a cup of tea and a chat with one of our information and support specialists, to browse the library, see the benefits advisor or to access one of the courses designed to help people live with, through and beyond the disease.

Maggie's is also well known for it's award winning architecture Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid's first UK buildings are both Maggie's Centres and they believe that their programme of help works as well as it does because of the environment it takes place in. The architects work to a demanding brief, which beyond the purely practical requirements asks them to produce spaces in which people feel safe and welcome but also have their imagination and their curiosity kindled.

We ask for spaces which make it easy to be with other people, but in which you can still feel private, not lonely. We ask for an exterior and front door which are inviting and an interior which makes you feel as one visitor said 'better as soon as I walked through the door' To learn more about Maggie's and to find a centre near you visit www.maggiescentres.org

Maggie's Personal Friends are individuals who give by direct debit to Maggie's. This is a simple way to make a big difference! Knowing how much money is coming in each month makes it possible for Maggie's to plan ahead for the courses that they offer for the year at their centres. From as little as £5 a month a Personal Friend can give someone affected by cancer the chance to attend one of our workshops once a month for a whole year. The programme of workshops support the emotional and psychological well-being of people with cancer and their friends and family and include Living With Cancer, Stress Management, Nutrition, Relaxation, Yoga, Thai Chi, Expressive Art and Writing.

As a Personal Friend you can also support Maggie's by taking part in some of their fantastic fundraising challenges like the Monster Bike & Hike. Click here to read about upcoming events you can get involved with.

• £5 a month allows for 1 year's attendance at a workshop
• £10 a month provides for 1 year's attendance at the Nutrition course and the provision of a healthy lunch
• £20 a month opens Maggie's door to 10 people confronted by cancer
• To sign up for direct debit online click here
• To download a direct debit form click here
• Or call Ellen Martin at Maggie's on 0845-508-4681.

Your contribution will be celebrated on our roll of honour, and you will be kept up to date with events at Maggie's through a supporter newsletter.

Active Friends are volunteers who form a group that represent Maggie's in their home area and help to raise money in local communities. Groups of Active Friends have between 5 and 20 members, depending on the size and area they cover. You don't need experience ­ just good organisational skills and a passion to improve cancer support in Scotland. Maggie's fundraiser in your area will work closely with you to develop a variety of activities and the possibilities are endless. Examples include holding one or more annual Herald Active Friends local events ­ perhaps a coffee morning, a book sale, a fashion show, a ball ­ the possibilities are endless.

To become an Active Friend ­ either by forming your own group or by joining an existing group in your area - call Ellen Martin at Maggie's on 0845-508-4681.

Corporate Friends can support Maggie's in a whole host of ways including taking them on as their Charity of the Year, holding business breakfast and networking events. Maggie's corporate fundraising team will work closely with you to tailor a programme of collaboration that meets your goals whether you want to build your profile as a socially responsible company, to improve team working or boost staff morale. A relationship with Maggie's isn't just about what you give, there are real tangible benefits for your business too.

To speak with someone about how your company could benefit from becoming a Corporate Friend call Ellen Martin at Maggie's on 0845-508-4681.

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Do something different for the
May Bank Holiday Weekends!

Monster Bike & Hike

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May 2008

This is the ultimate 24hr fundraising team challenge, a 30-mile cycle, then choose to hike 8, 22 or 43 miles. The full route is 73 miles from Fort William to Inverness through the stunning scenery of the Great Glen Way.

Click here to read more about Monster:

Click the play button to view video

To register please download and complete this registration form and send to Monster 2008, 8 Newton Place, Glasgow, G3 7PR or call Kirsty on 0141 341 5669 or e-mail kirstyt@maggiescentres.org

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