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Maggie’s makes a start on purpose-built cancer support centre National cancer support charity Maggie’s has officially broken ground on a new purpose-built support centre to provide expert care to people living with cancer from across the Cambridgeshire area. The centre, designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects, is being built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, alongside Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the future Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. Cambridgeshire high sheriff Francis Burkitt and deputy lieutenant for Cambridgeshire and Maggie’s Cambridge board chair Richard Pemberton joined the celebrations alongside people supported by Maggie’s. Construction industry comes out in force for good cause More than 50 teams from across the construction industry took to the streets of Cambridge on 1 October for the second annual Race Across Cambridge, organised by CB3 Consulting in aid of charity. Starting and finishing at St John’s Innovation Centre, teams were challenged to navigate the city by solving a series of location-revealing clues. The event raised more than £7,300 for The Phoenix Trust, a Cambridge- based charity and social enterprise that provides meaningful work opportunities and life skills development for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.
NEWS IN BRIEF Charity co-founder steps down
After co-founding Tom’s Trust in 2011 and being CEO of the Cambridge-based charity until 2021, Deborah Mitchell (fondly known as Debs) has decided it’s time to leave its day-to-day working to CEO Rebecca Wood and her team. Debs and Andrew Whitley founded Tom’s Trust following the death of their nine-year-old son, Tom, from a brain tumour. Their determination that other families should be able to access the specialist psychological support they needed has shaped the charity ever since. Debs will take a short break before potentially joining the board of trustees. St Neots naming competition Churchill Living is inviting St Neots locals to help shape the identity of its forthcoming retirement living development in the town by taking part in a competition to name the new Lodge, reflecting St Neots’ rich history, riverside setting and sense of community. The winning entrant will receive £100 and see their chosen name become a lasting part of the development. Submit your suggestion and brief explanation of its significance to se.marketing@ crl.co.uk by 27 November.
Maggie’s, which is marking 30 years of transformational cancer care in 2026, has been supporting people living with cancer from an interim centre close to Addenbrooke’s Hospital since 2012. It is expected the centre will be providing free expert psychological, emotional and practical support to people with cancer, as well as family and friends, from the new purpose-built centre in early 2028.
VolkerFitzpatrick was crowned Race Across Cambridge 2026 champion, taking home the event trophy and first- place prizes. Showcase PSR Portsdown won the separate quiz competition, which tested teams’ knowledge throughout the course. Following the positive feedback from participants and supporters alike, plans are already underway for Race Across Cambridge to return in 2027.
East Anglian Air Ambulance supporters trek for charity
The first-ever Trek 24 Cambridgeshire took place on 6 September, raising vital funds to support East Anglian Air Ambulance and help secure the future of its lifesaving service across the region – with 150 people taking part in the event. The trek saw participants of all ages and abilities take on a choice of either 2.4-mile, 24k or 24-mile routes. The courses took participants through the countryside and into Cambridge, with the longer challenges passing landmarks including the River Cam, Grantchester and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Every pound raised through Trek 24 Cambridgeshire will help East Anglian Air Ambulance continue providing lifesaving critical care to people across the region. The charity is currently undertaking its biggest-ever fundraising appeal, aiming to raise £8.2 million to build a new airbase just outside the village of Fulbourn ahead of the planned closure of Cambridge Airport in 2030. To find out more and donate to the appeal, visit eaaa.org.uk/ cambridge-air-base-appeal
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