On Saturday the 30th of August, the amazing supporters at Maggie’s cancer charity are taking part in the incredible Zip Slide the Clyde event, soaring 100ft high and 1245ft along Glasgow’s iconic cityscape to raise money for their centres in Lanarkshire and Forth Valley.
The event at the Riverside Museum, running from 9am to 3pm, will feature many inspiring centre visitors from Maggie’s Lanarkshire and Forth Valley. These centre visitors are coming together to give back in a bold and courageous expression of gratitude for the support they’ve received.
The Zip Slide has sparked lively conversations throughout the centres, with visitors rallying support and helping to recruit participants for the event. One centre visitor from Maggie’s Lanarkshire, Danny King, aged 63, has been promoting the event within his local area of Wishaw. Danny said he is proud to support Maggie’s and is an advocate for the centre in Lanarkshire because, “they are helpful to those who are going through a cancer journey, and you are made to feel part of the wider Maggie’s family. As soon as you enter you are met with kind people who go out of their way to support, comfort, and direct you to the appropriate help that you require.”
Danny is an incredible supporter of Maggie’s Lanarkshire, raising money through his festive dress up as Santa Clause at Christmas events in the Lanarkshire area. This year, he has continued his efforts to find ways to fundraise for Maggie’s Lanarkshire throughout the year and has been named Lanarkshire’s ‘Summer Santa’ by Centre Fundraising Organiser, Kerry-Anne Lang.
Danny has previously participated in a Zip Slide event when he was 16 years old, stating that he “really enjoyed it” and telling those who are considering taking part “to go for it, it’s for a great cause.”
Eve Esteban who is Zipping the Clyde on Saturday the 30th at the Riverside Museum said that she has chosen to take part and support Maggie’s Lanarkshire as the centre has been an incredible resource for her since beginning her own cancer treatment. Eve said, “since my diagnosis, Maggie’s has offered support in a number of ways. I have taken part in yoga and relaxation classes, and I attend groups which offer support that I don’t think I would access anywhere else.”
Eve regularly visits the centre in Lanarkshire saying, “as soon as I enter the centre, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders as I know I will be offered support and can share my true feelings of what it’s like living with cancer.”
Eve’s message to anyone considering taking on a challenge at Maggie’s is, “unfortunately, cancer affects so many people now and the more we can do to get the word out about Maggie’s resources, the better. The people who work there and the people who attend help so much with coping with, not only the physical, but the mental struggles that people face when affected by cancer or by someone they know who has cancer. I hope that people will reach out and see what fundraising opportunities there are.”
Centre visitor Laura McCourt, age 41 from South Lanarkshire has also decided to take part in the Zip Slide the Clyde event in honour of her Mum and to support Maggie’s Lanarkshire. Despite her fear of heights, Laura is determined to complete the Zip Slide the Clyde challenge, saying, “I’m certainly not someone who likes to live outside my comfort zone, that’s for sure! But when I saw the call for Zip Slide volunteers, I knew it was the perfect way to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Maggie’s for the incredible support they’ve given me.”
In August 2024, following what they thought was a routine scan for a minor pain, Laura’s mum was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer – completely symptomless until then. Laura said that she had tried to cope with the news of her Mum’s diagnosis on her own, but her best friend urged and pushed her to go to Maggie’s Lanarkshire for support.
Laura said, “I was met with nothing but kindness. A volunteer simply said, ‘You look like you could do with a cuppa.’ I broke down. I spoke with a nurse specialist who listened, offered reassurance, and made me feel less alone. I’ve been having regular therapy sessions with one of their specialist psychologists ever since, helping me to process what’s happening and slowly build a sense of calm again.”
Laura is now passionate about raising funds for Maggie’s so they can continue offering this vital support – not just to people with cancer, but to families and friends too. In Laura’s words, “Maggie’s isn’t just a building; it’s a haven. A place where the kettle’s always on and you’re met with warmth, not judgement. You don’t need an appointment. You just walk in, and someone’s there.”
Danny, Eve, and Laura all emphasised the importance of taking part in Maggie’s events to, not only raise money for the cancer charity but also to raise awareness and help support more people who are living with cancer. Laura said “taking on a challenge for Maggie’s is more than a personal goal for me. It’s a lifeline for people living with cancer. Every mile run, mountain climbed, cake baked or ‘Zip-Line Zipped’ will directly help someone access vital emotional, psychological, and practical support during the toughest time of their life. Maggie’s centres are invaluable. And our efforts will help to keep the doors open going forward. So please, join me and others and take on a Maggie’s challenge. You’ll be making a real difference, and you’ll be proud you did.”
Lorrie Cameron, Centre Head at Maggie’s Lanarkshire said: “Maggie’s relies entirely on voluntary donations from individuals and the local community to enable our professional team to provide specialist cancer support, psychological support and benefits advice for everyone who needs it.”
If you have any questions about the Zip Slide event on Saturday the 30th of August, get in touch with the team at Maggie’s Lanarkshire. The spaces are filling up quickly, with a limited number remaining. The link to the Eventbrite Sign Up Page is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/zip-slide-the-clyde-for-maggies-lanarkshire-and-maggies-forth-valley-2025-tickets-1464213474919?aff=oddtdtcreator
Since Maggie’s opened its first centre in 1996, the charity has developed a programme of support that is proven to help people with cancer, as well as family and friends, take back control.
Maggie’s professional staff include psychologists, cancer support specialists and benefits advisors.
To find out more about Maggie’s Lanarkshire please visit the centre at Maggie’s Lanarkshire, The Elizabeth Montgomerie Building, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, ML6 0JS or get in touch on 01236 771199 or lanarkshire@maggies.org
To find out more about fundraising for Maggie’s Lanarkshire contact the centre on 01236 771191 or email lanarkshirefundraising@maggies.org
