Home » What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more » GARTNAVEL CHAPEL – CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE NEEDS LOCAL VOTES TO WIN MAJOR AWARD

GARTNAVEL CHAPEL – CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE NEEDS LOCAL VOTES TO WIN MAJOR AWARD

A project to transform Gartnavel Chapel into a support centre run by Cancer Support Scotland has been shortlisted in this year’s prestigious National Lottery Awards.

The National Lottery Awards, supported by Scots actor John Barrowman, reward and recognise the inspirational work of National Lottery funded projects across all sections of society.  A massive £35m a week is raised by Lottery players for Good Causes with groups and individuals utilising the cash to make a positive life-changing impact on their communities.   

Over 900 good causes from across the UK were nominated in this year’s Awards.  Gartnavel Chapel – Cancer Support Centre has made it through to the final seven in the Best Heritage Project category and is the only Scottish project to be shortlisted in this category.  A coveted National Lottery Awards trophy and a £2,000 cash prize  is up for grabs if the project gets the highest number of public votes.  

Designed by architect JJ Burnet in 1904, the beautiful Gartnavel Chapel was at risk of being lost to structural decay before a bold project by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, boosted by over £365,000 from The National Lottery, saved the Category B building and restored it to its former glory.   However, the project was about much more than cosmetic enhancement.  The restoration of the building was combined with the conversion of its interior to house the new Calman Cancer Support Centre run by Cancer Support Scotland.  The centre features calm and welcoming spaces where complementary therapies and counselling are delivered for free to cancer out-patients and their family and friends.   

Colin Graham, chief executive of Cancer Support Scotland, said:  “Before we moved to the new facility in November last year we were based in a cramped former nurse’s flat and in desperate need of larger premises close to the Beatson Oncology Centre.
“The new support centre at Gartnavel Chapel is outstanding and has surpassed all my expectations. It’s a wonderfully nurturing environment for cancer out-patients to visit and, with the additional space, we are already on course to treble the number of people benefitting from the services we offer in our first 12 months in the building.”

Gartnavel Chapel – Cancer Support Centre is appealing for public support as it bids to make it all the way to the star-studded awards ceremony in September which will be broadcast on BBC One.

Gill Stewart at Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said:  “We’re absolutely delighted to be the only Scottish finalist in the Best Heritage Project category at this year’s National Lottery Awards.  National Lottery funding has helped us to save a beautiful former hospital chapel from dereliction and transform it into a flagship therapy centre where people who are affected by cancer can take time away from the pressures of their daily lives.  

“It would mean so much to everyone involved for us to win this award.  We hope that all of Scotland will get behind us and vote for Gartnavel Chapel Cancer Support Centre!”  

John Barrowman, presenter of The National Lottery Awards, said: “National Lottery funding helps transform communities and changes lives for the better. National Lottery players should be proud that their contribution to good causes makes such a positive difference to arts, sport, heritage, community and voluntary groups across the UK.
“I would urge everyone to get behind Gartnavel Chapel Cancer Support Centre and do their bit to ensure they get national recognition for their invaluable contribution to society.”

There are seven nominees in seven categories in the Awards, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

Jackie O’Sullivan of National Lottery Good Causes added: “We have been overwhelmed by the number and standard of entries for the National Lottery Awards.  Each week National Lottery players raise over £35 million for good causes.  The impact of National Lottery funding at the heart of communities cannot be over-estimated.”
“The 49 good causes competing for public votes are just a snapshot of the life-changing influence of National Lottery funding.  Now for the hard part, every one of the nominees is a winner in their own right but it is up to the public to get behind their favourite good cause and make sure they pick up the top prize.”

Voting for The National Lottery Awards starts at 9am on Wednesday 19 June and ends at midnight on Wednesday 24 July. 

You can vote at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards and follow voting on twitter #NLAwards

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