The Herald today launches a campaign to highlight the inspirational work of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres across Scotland.

Readers are being invited to become a Herald Friend of Maggie's to support the charity's work in 2008 and beyond.

Sarah Brown, wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and patron of Maggie's, in a moving introduction to the campaign (see page 17) writes: "Maggie's are places that help people, in the way that they want and at one of the most difficult and stressful times that any of us may have to face in our lifetime.

"The reason I am involved in Maggie's is the same reason that so many people in Scotland support their centres and want to keep them going for the long term. More people are getting cancer and more people are living with the disease."

Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, also a patron of Maggie's, said: "I'm so thrilled that The Herald is doing its bit for Maggie's. We need as much support as possible." Maggie's Centres work with local NHS partnerships to provide free emotional, psychological and practical support to anyone affected by cancer. Positioned close to major cancer treatment centres within hospital grounds, they are individually designed by top architects to provide peaceful environments that are apart from the medical side of cancer.

They were the vision of the Dumfriesshire-based garden designer and author Maggie Keswick Jencks when she was treated for breast cancer. She recognised the difficulties of accessing information and support when faced with a diagnosis of cancer, and the need for a small domestic haven that could concentrate on an individual's needs as a person, not just as a cancer patient. The first Maggie's centre was designed by Richard Murphy and opened at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh in 1996.

There are now five Maggie's centres across Scotland, with two more in the pipeline. Maggie's Lanarkshire, based at Wishaw General Hospital, will open later this year, while a second Maggie's Glasgow, to be situated close to the Beatson Onconolgy Unit at Gartnavel General Hospital, will be designed by the renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

A logo for The Herald campaign, one of the keynote projects to mark the newspaper's 225th year, has been specially created by the award-winning Glasgow design team Timorous Beasties. Co-founder Alistair McAuley said: "Maggie's is known for using unique architecture and good design to inspire people who visit their centres, so when they approached us to do the design for the Herald Friends of Maggie's campaign we were thrilled."

Laura Lee, Maggie's chief executive, said: "At this stage in our development - with five centres open across Scotland and two more on the way - this is exactly the kind of help we need. It is always easier to raise money to build something new, than it is to fund existing work, and the ongoing support of Herald readers will be vital to us."

Charles McGhee, editor of The Herald said: "The devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis is felt by thousands of Scots and their families every year. Many of them have gained invaluable emotional and practical support from the Maggie's Centre network, and I am delighted that in its 225th anniversary year The Herald has chosen to highlight the work of this remarkable charity."