Hillier has announced a new charity partnership for 2019-20 with national cancer support charity, Maggie’s. Through the partnership, Hillier hopes to raise funds, give direct support to Maggie’s Centres and help bring Maggie’s to the South of England. 

Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, these centres provide free practical, emotional and social support to anyone with any type of cancer – and to their family and friends too. Figures show that by 2020, half of the UK population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, so there is a vital need for these thoughtful, practical spaces. Maggie’s has 22 centres across the world.

Director of property at Hillier, George Hillier said: “We are proud to be supporting Maggie’s as our charity partner. The work they do at their centres to support all those affected by cancer is so important and we want to help raise awareness as well as funds for them.” 

Hillier hopes to support Maggie’s over the next two years both through fundraising and by offering expertise and time to directly support the centres. Maggie’s is building a new centre in Southampton in 2019, located in close proximity to a number of Hillier Garden Centres. Hillier hope to support this new location by raising awareness of the great work they do, helping bring Maggie’s to the south.

Centre fundraising manager at Maggie’s, Gemma McKnight added: “We are delighted and proud to have been chosen as Hillier's charity partner. Maggie’s is a charity solely reliant on donations to support and grow our network of centres. Money raised from this partnership will help us move one step closer to bringing a Maggie’s to the South and to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.”

The charity partnership with Maggie’s follows a successful two-year partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust. Hillier raised £19,299 for the charity through activities in 2017-18, including donation points in all 12 Hillier Garden Centres, personal events undertaken by staff (walks and skydiving) and by creating charitable offers in Hillier Restaurants. Hillier hopes to continue to engage staff and customers in support of Maggie’s.