STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION

Making a difference . . .

THE Steve Morgan Foundation aims to make a real difference by changing the lives of thousands of people across the region.

Founded by Steve Morgan CBE in 2001, the Foundation supports projects that help children and families, people with physical or learning disabilities, the elderly, and the socially disadvantaged across North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire.

More than £50m has so far been awarded to over 650 charities and organisations, and this number will increase dramatically over the coming years

after Steve committed £250m additional funding to the Foundation in 2017.

Enable Funding for individuals was also introduced

to provide grants for adults and children with disabilities in financial hardship, who require specialised equipment. There are three types of funding available for organisations which fit the application criteria:

n Major grants and one-off capital funding for

large projects;

n Regional grant funding; n Enable Funding for specialised equipment, which

includes the brand new Smiley Buses.

If you need help, contact us – details below Maggie’s charity moves into our new centre

FLASHBACK: Winter 2019 ... Steve Morgan and guests at the ‘sod cutting’ ceremony at Maggie’s Wirral

RIGHT: how the centre looks today

WE’VEWE’VEDONEDONEIT!IT!

PHILANTHROPIST Steve Morgan has spoken of his pride after a landmark day in the history of the cancer support charity Maggie’s.

Mr Morgan, CBE, chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “This is a very proud moment for everyone involved in the project. It is one of our largest capital projects to date, but our involvement has gone far beyond funding.

“We’ve been responsible for the planning, design, project management as well as the entire funding, which is almost unheard of for a foundation.

“My wife, Sally, first introduced the foundation to Maggie’s, and we have watched with pride as the building has come to life. It has been a real team effort.

“The sad reality it that cancer affects so many people’s lives and the work undertaken by the Maggie’s Centres has never been more needed. We know what a difference this will make to so many people. ”

The new centre, Maggie’s Wirral at the Steve Morgan Foundation Building, will provide more space, allowing the staff to deliver more core services, courses and support groups.

The library and private rooms will offer individual, one-to-one and family support space for people who are not ready for group support. Kathy Wright, centre head at Maggie’s, said: “It’s wonderful to have a permanent centre here on the Wirral and we’re excited to be able to start supporting more people with cancer in the surroundings of a truly uplifting and inspirational building. ”

The centre, designed by Dennis Swain of HBArchitects, is open to see people alongside digital support.

Liz Bishop, chief executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral, said: “We have seen how beneficial Maggie’s professional, practical, emotional and psychological support has been since the interim centre was built on site and we know the new centre will provide support to many more people at what is possibly the hardest time of their lives. ”

PROUD: Steve and Sally Morgan

n There are 18,000 new cancer

diagnoses every year in Merseyside and Cheshire.

n Asecond Maggie’s, also funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation will be built in the grounds of the new Royal Liverpool Hospital in the city centre and supporting patients of the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool. It is hoped that construction will start at the earliest opportunity, likely 2022.

What an honour . . .

WE’RE delighted to report that NEO Community – one of the Steve Morgan Foundation’s long-term supported charities –has received a Queen’sAward for Voluntary Service.

Jane Harris, Director of Regional Grants at the Foundation, said: “The volunteers work tirelessly to benefit the disadvantaged community of Rock Ferry and its surrounds with a project that has contributed to improving access to healthy food, reducing food waste, providing employment training and volunteering opportunities, reducing social isolation and improving self-esteem. ”

n If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Neo Community, call 0151 647 5981 or visit www.neocommunity.org.uk

NEO’s founder Ema Wilkes with Ruth Dixon, left, and Jane Harris from the Steve Morgan Foundation

What a Smiley Bus . . .

ONE OF the Steve Morgan Foundation’s Smiley Buses has clocked up 100,000 miles.

The bus was awarded to Cheshire Buddies in 2015.

Co-founder Stephanie Lawley said: “The bus has completely changed the way we operate. It has given the charity freedom, flexibility and independence. The bus is used five days a week (often twice a day for different groups) and transports on average 70 children and young people a week to a range of activities.

“Thank you to everyone at the Steve Morgan Foundation. The bus has changed so many children’s lives. ”