Gartnavel Chapel Glasgow wins National Lottery Award

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Gartnavel Chapel Glasgow wins National Lottery Award

CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE WINS BIG AT NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS

The team behind Gartnavel Chapel – Cancer Support Centre were given the red carpet treatment as they accepted their National Lottery Award at a glittering awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One Scotland this Wednesday.

The ambitious project by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to regenerate the derelict Gartnavel Chapel, in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, and turn it into a support centre run by Cancer Support Scotland was voted the nation’s favourite heritage project. The team will be seen receiving the prize at 11.35pm on Wednesday 11 September on the National Lottery Stars 2013 programme.

(Photograph. Left to Right: Gill Stewart, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust; Colin Graham chief executive of Cancer Support Scotland; Actor and Awards host John Barrowman; Lydia Jack and Anne Green who use the facilities at the support centre; Helen Macnamara, interior designer; and David Millar, Architect.)

Cancer Support Scotland staff and patients joined the project team from Glasgow Building Preservation Trust as they travelled to London for the bash at the world-famous Pinewood Studios, home of James Bond, Superman and Sherlock Holmes. They mingled with stars including Jason Donovan, Len Goodman, Lisa Riley and Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams during the ceremony hosted by John Barrowman. Rock legend Rod Stewart performed at the ceremony.

Ricky Tomlinson, who surprised the team two weeks ago with the news they had won the award, was also at the ceremony to congratulate them. A short film featuring a surprise visit to the centre by the Royle Family actor will also be shown on the programme.

Colin Graham, chief executive of Cancer Support Scotland, said: “All of us at Cancer Support Scotland – clients, staff and trustees – would like to thank everyone who supported our bid to win this prestigious award. We would also like to thank the National Lottery for backing Glasgow Building Preservation Trust with the funding for the restoration of our new headquarters, the Calman Cancer Support Centre.

“Our move to the Calman Centre means we will more than treble the number of people we are able to help this year. And we’re doing so in a building fit for purpose and which is part of Glasgow’s great architectural heritage.”

The National Lottery Awards recognise and reward the inspirational impact of National Lottery funded projects across all sections of society. National Lottery players raise more than £35 million for good causes throughout the UK every week.

Gill Stewart at Glasgow Building Preservation Trust said: “As a charity which works to rescue, repair and restore Buildings at Risk across Glasgow, we’re delighted that our efforts to transform Gartnavel Chapel into a cancer support centre have been recognised as the Best Heritage Project at The National Lottery Awards. We’re so grateful to everyone who voted for us to win this award and have had a fantastic time at The National Lottery Awards celebrating along with all the other winners from across the UK.”

About the project:

Designed by architect JJ Burnet in 1904, the beautiful Gartnavel Chapel was at risk of being lost to structural decay before the 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. 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.
Austin-Smith: Lord Architects worked on the project. David Millar, Head of Conservation for Austin-Smith: Lord Architects and project director said: “We were delighted to work with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust over the past six years to conserve and extend the Gartnavel Chapel. We’ve helped create the Calman Cancer Support Centre, the new headquarters for Cancer Support Scotland, an immensely valuable facility in the grounds of this specialist hospital in Glasgow.”

About the Awards:

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

Gartnavel Chapel – Cancer Support Centre was named number one over six other challengers including, The Cutty Sark and Giant’s Causeway, in a public vote to win the best heritage project. It will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on the project as well as a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy. Over 900 Lottery-funded projects entered the Awards this year.

The National Lottery Awards, hosted by John Barrowman will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland at 11.35pm on Wednesday 11 September.

Jackie O’Sullivan of the National Lottery Good Causes added: “The National Lottery Awards recognise and reward the life-changing impact of good causes across the country.
“The 2013 Awards has been our best ever and we have been overwhelmed by the exceptionally high standard of National Lottery funded projects throughout the UK. We have been amazed at the impact they make at local and national levels. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part.
“Gartnavel Chapel – Cancer Support Centre is a deserving winner of the Best Heritage Project award and National Lottery players can be justifiably proud that they fund and support such a fantastic organisation.”

www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk