Maggie’s the charity that provides free support of all kinds to people with cancer as well as their friends and family recently ran a competition to find a gift for the charity’s patrons and the winner has just been announced.
Stephanie Dalzell, aged 28 and from Edinburgh, impressed the competition judges with her design for a ceramic candle holder laser-cut with an illustration of the donor’s nearest Maggie’s Centre which glows when the candle is lit.  She was awarded first place at the competition final at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus on Wednesday 4 March.
Students on the Edinburgh College HND graphic design course were invited to imagine an object that would reflect the spirit of Maggie’s and that could be produced as a thank-you gift for patrons of the charity. Students visited Maggie’s Edinburgh, in the grounds of Western General Infirmary, so they could see for themselves the vital role that architecture and design play in making Maggie’s Centres calm, uplifting places. Five students then had their product designs shortlisted.
Marie McQuade, Development Director at Maggie’s, said: “All the students came up with original and unique designs that showed they had a real grasp of what is special about Maggie’s Centres. Stephanie particularly impressed us with a creation that beautifully illustrates the hopefulness of Maggie’s Centres. It will make a wonderful gift for our patrons.”
Stephanie, whose prize is a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Portrait Gallery with Ben Thomson Chairman of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to have had the opportunity to work on such a rewarding project, for such a worthwhile charity, so I’m really pleased to have won. I wanted to come up with something that would incorporate the light and warmth of Maggie’s Centres into an object that could be used everyday and also act as a talking point to start conversations about Maggie’s.”
Graphic design lecturer Helena Good said: “All the students did a fantastic job with the brief, and really understood what Maggie’s is about and what the charity is trying to achieve. It’s really important that our students get to work with real clients to real briefs so they know what will be expected of them as professionals, so competitions such as this are valuable learning opportunities.
“Seeing her work brought to life will be a great inspiration for Stephanie and everyone on the course as it shows them what the end product of their hard work is. We’re delighted that Maggie’s are happy with what they’ve got and hopefully their patrons will love their gifts.”
Built in the grounds of Western General Hospital, Maggie’s Edinburgh is a warm and welcoming place, with qualified professionals on hand to offer an evidence-based core programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing.
Maggie’s Edinburgh relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support.  The charity’s aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.
To find out more about Maggie’s Edinburgh and to see how the Centre supports people with cancer across the region please visit the Centre at Western General Hospital or get in touch on 0131 537 3131 or at Edinburgh@maggiescentres.org.
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