MAGGIE’S ANNOUNCED AS LAPADA ART & ANTIQUES FAIR BENEFICIARY Maggie’s, the charity which offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, has been named as the beneficiary of the high profile LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair Charity Party, taking place on Thursday 24th September 2015.

The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, which has been extended this year due to visitor demand, showcases the UK’s finest art, antiques and decorative arts. Sponsored by Delancey and held annually in Berkeley Square, in the heart of London's Mayfair, this must-visit fair attracts over 20,000 art and antiques collectors and enthusiasts from across the globe. For one night each year the purpose built exhibition space transforms, playing host to the exclusive LAPADA Charity Party.

Every year, more than 28,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in London, facing tough questions, exhausting treatment and difficult emotions that range from anxiety to loneliness and isolation. These challenges affect not only those with cancer, but their family and friends too. Maggie’s aim is to be there for anyone and everyone with cancer across London, offering a programme of support based on evidence proven to strengthen physical and emotional wellbeing.

Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s Centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need. They are places to find practical advice about benefits and eating well; places where qualified experts provide emotional support; friendly places to meet other people; calming spaces simply to sit quietly with a cup of tea. Great design and architecture are vital to the care Maggie’s offers; and to achieve that Maggie’s works with architects like Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster, whose expertise and experience deliver the calm, uplifting environments that are so important to the people with visit and work in the Centres.

There are 18 Maggie’s Centres across the UK, online and abroad, including Maggie’s West London, built in the grounds of Charing Cross Hospital, which has been supporting people with cancer since 2008. The charity has plans to open a further two Centres - Maggie’s Barts and Maggie’s at The Royal Marsden – to further extend their support across London.

This year Maggie’s will host ‘Maggie’s Party at LAPADA’, which includes a Party Reception and private view of the Fair, followed by Dinner in the Fair Brasserie, to raise important funds for the charity. Maggie’s relies on voluntary donations to support and grow its network of Centres and to develop its unique, high quality programme of support. Money raised from the evening will help Maggie’s to extend its support across London to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends. The evening will be generously supported by returning Principal Sponsor Delancey and fundraising revenue from ticket sales will be boosted with silent and live auctions. Chairing the event will be Clara Weatherall.

Clara Weatherall, Maggie’s Party Chairman, commented: “I am thrilled to be involved with this wonderful event. It is a very exciting opportunity for us all. I am extremely grateful to the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair for making Maggie’s the beneficiary of its Gala Event, to our Principal Sponsor, Delancey and a huge thank you also goes to my excellent Gala and Party committees. Maggie’s Centres are warm and welcoming places which provide fantastic practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends; the money we raise will help ensure that Maggie’s unique service is extended across London.”

Laura Lee, Chief Executive, Maggie’s, commented “We are delighted to be named the beneficiary of this prestigious event and our heartfelt thanks go to the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair for this opportunity and to the Principal Sponsor Delancey who have been tremendous supporters of Maggie’s for many years. The money and awareness raised through this event will enable us to extend our unique programme of support to help even more people across London find their way through cancer.”