MAGGIE’S Newcastle – a support centre for people with cancer - is celebrating its first birthday with the news it has exceeded all expectations.

Since the eye-catching centre in the grounds of the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle was opened by Maggie’s patron Sarah Brown last May, there have been more than 16,000 visits from people with cancer, as well as families and friends.

It was hoped it would attract 4,500 visits in its first year, but in the last 12 months Maggie’s has become known as a special place which offers free practical, emotional and social support, a place which is warm and welcoming and a place with qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme of support.

Centre Head Karen Verrill said: “It has been an extraordinary first year for Maggie’s Newcastle.“The people of the area have truly made the centre their own and I am delighted we have been here to offer a warm Maggie’s welcome to men and women of all ages.

“Some people just like to come and sit in our wonderful building with a cup of tea while looking out over the garden while others come to speak to myself, our cancer support specialist or psychologist, or to join the Tai Chi class or another aspect of the programme such as benefits advice, nutrition workshops or relaxation.

“I am incredibly proud to be Maggie’s Newcastle Centre head and I look forward to welcoming many more people to our Centre in years to come.”

Maggie’s Centres provide support following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks, a landscape architect and writer who lived with advanced cancer for two years and died in 1995.

The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh at the Western General Hospital in 1996.