Latest news with #MaggiesCharity
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Glasgow has a new Scottie dog trail - here's all you need to know
A PACK of giant dogs is taking over Glasgow – but no need to panic. The Scotties in the City art trail for Maggie's cancer charity will see 50 beautiful sculptures brightening up streets across the city and its suburbs in 2026. At the end of the eight-week project, which was officially launched at the Trades Hall in Glasgow on Wednesday (June 18), the artworks will be auctioned off to raise money for Maggie's, who help families going through cancer treatment. (Image: Martin Shields) Hayley Smith, project manager for Scotties in the City at Maggie's, said: 'We hope this fun art trail, in partnership with Wild in Art, will play a key role in boosting the city's social, cultural and economic development and draw in visitors to experience the charm of our city. 'People travel far and wide to see art trails like this and many famous faces – such as Lorraine Kelly and Judy Murray - have bought sculptures from Wild in Art charity auctions in the past.' READ NEXT: 10 pictures that tell story of Glasgow school and its links to Hollywood 'I travelled and worked on the Glasgow ferries and they are much missed' Glasgow drugs trial will use genetics to end 'trial and error' approach to treatments I have incurable blood cancer but my symptoms were mistaken for menopause At the launch, which showcased Glasgow artist Douglas Roulston's sculpture Lochie, the charity put a call out for artists and sponsors to get on board. She added: 'Today's launch is a call out for businesses to get involved in sponsoring a giant Scottie sculpture, and a call out for artists to take part.' An educational programme will run alongside the project. Sixty schools can also apply for their own small Scottie, complete with resources and lessons pack, which they can design and decorate. The smaller sculptures will also form part of the art trail and be returned to the schools at the end. (Image: Martin Shields) Douglas said: 'I am honoured to introduce Lochie, the first big Scottie on the Glasgow trail for Maggie's. 'My artwork is inspired by the dramatic beauty of the Highlands and Islands. I have painted the beautiful landscape of Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond, the golf course, the loch itself and a few signature trees. 'Hidden on Lochie's chest is a heart shaped by the trees – a quiet reminder of strength, love and compassion which also sum up Maggie's and the great work they do in supporting families going through cancer.' Charlie Langhorne, managing director of Wild in Art, added: 'We are thrilled to be working with our friends and partners at Maggies on our first standalone trail in Glasgow. 'We are confident that our Wild in Art Scottie dogs will bring joy to both residents and tourists as they discover the trail and explore the city, and raise awareness and vital funds to support the invaluable work that Maggie's does to help people with cancer and their families.'
Sky News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Cancer patients missing holidays or travelling uninsured amid unfair insurance costs, charity says
Cancer patients are being priced out of holidays because they can't afford the inflated insurance premiums companies are charging, a charity has said. Patients and people in recovery from the deadly disease are "frequently" refused cover or quoted unaffordable premiums, forcing some to travel without insurance or miss trips altogether, according to Maggie's cancer support charity. Prohibitively high prices mean they cannot visit friends and family abroad and are forced to avoid business travel, the charity said. Josh Cull, from Bournemouth, was quoted a minimum of £3,000 for insurance when he decided to visit South Asia after he had recovered from "completely unexpected" brain cancer. Josh, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumour in 2021 when he was 25, said he "went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as major surgery to remove the tumour, which affected my eyesight and my ability to walk". Initially told he had only three months to live, Josh, now 28, admitted he "was lucky to come out the other side, and the trip [with his fiancee and brother] was supposed to be a reward for everything we'd been through". But, he said, he "couldn't get an insurance quote for less than £3,000", despite having been out of treatment "for two-and-a-half years", and being "healthy and fully recovered". "Simply having a cancer diagnosis in my past meant the insurance was extremely expensive," he said. "It felt so unfair. I ended up travelling uninsured because I just couldn't afford the cover." 0:55 Millie Tharakan, 72, from north London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, and her cancer returned in 2020. She has since been receiving immunotherapy and has regular CT scans to monitor her condition. £1,300 bill was 'so unfair' Ms Tharakan was "steady" and fit to fly, her oncologist said, but was forced to pay £1,300 for annual cover for travel insurance in Europe. The mother of three and grandmother of five said: "We wanted to go on a family holiday and given my health I didn't feel comfortable travelling without insurance, but it's been incredibly stressful. "Most insurance companies I spoke to wouldn't even consider covering me. It feels so unfair." 'Inflated' insurance costs Maggie's chief executive, Dame Laura Lee, said they are hearing from growing numbers of cancer sufferers about the diffculties they face "trying to obtain travel insurance, and the emotional distress this can cause". "The last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs when they should be focused on recovering from treatment and living well with cancer," she said. "Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone's wellbeing and recovery, and it is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world." A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the group understands how beneficial travel and holidays are for cancer patients and are "committed to supporting customers who have or have had cancer". "Unfortunately, people with pre-existing medical conditions may be more likely to need emergency medical treatment whilst abroad, which can come at a significant cost," they added. 1:49 Insurers will take this, and other issues, into account, when deciding whether to offer "suitable" cover. "If an insurer is unable to offer you cover because of a pre-existing medical condition, they will point you to specialist providers who can help you find an appropriate policy." The charity has called on Treasury minister Emma Reynolds to investigate and wants ministers to work with travel insurance companies, the Financial Conduct Authority, and cancer patients to get a "fairer deal" for insurance.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cancer patients ‘priced out of travel' due to insurance costs
Cancer patients are being 'priced out' of holidays due to 'inflated' travel insurance costs for patients, a charity has said. Maggie's cancer support charity said patients and those in recovery are 'frequently' refused cover or quoted unaffordable premiums. This means that patients, and those in recovery, are forced to travel without insurance or skip trips altogether. As well as missing out on holidays they are also unable to visit friends and family abroad and avoid business travel, Maggie's added. The charity has called on Treasury minister Emma Reynolds to help tackle the travel insurance prices faced by people with a history of cancer. It is calling on ministers to work with travel insurance companies, the Financial Conduct Authority and cancer patients to get a 'fairer deal' for insurance. Josh Cull, from Bournemouth, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumour in 2021 when he was 25. After his treatment, he decided to visit south Asia with his fiancee and brother but could not find a travel insurance company that would cover him for a price he could afford. 'My cancer was completely unexpected, especially as I was so young, and initially I was told I only had three months to live,' the 28-year-old said. 'I went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as major surgery to remove the tumour, which affected my eyesight and my ability to walk. 'It was an incredibly difficult time, but I was lucky to come out the other side, and the trip was supposed to be a reward for everything we'd been through. 'However, I couldn't get an insurance quote for less than £3,000. 'At that point, I had been out of treatment for two-and-a-half years, and I was healthy and fully recovered, but simply having a cancer diagnosis in my past meant the insurance was extremely expensive. 'It felt so unfair. I ended up travelling uninsured because I just couldn't afford the cover.' Millie Tharakan, 72, from north London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, and her cancer returned in 2020. She has since been receiving immunotherapy and has regular CT scans to monitor her condition. Despite her oncologist describing her as 'steady' and declaring her fit to fly, she was forced to fork out £1,300 for annual cover for travel insurance in Europe. Ms Tharakan, who has three sons and five grandchildren, said: 'We wanted to go on a family holiday and given my health I didn't feel comfortable travelling without insurance, but it's been incredibly stressful. 'Most insurance companies I spoke to wouldn't even consider covering me. It feels so unfair.' Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie's, said: ' More and more frequently, we are hearing about the barriers people with cancer face when trying to obtain travel insurance, and the emotional distress this can cause. 'The last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs when they should be focused on recovering from treatment and living well with cancer. 'Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone's wellbeing and recovery, and it is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world.' A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: 'We appreciate how important being able to travel and go on holiday is for anyone who has or has had cancer, especially during such difficult times. 'Ensuring they can benefit from the peace of mind insurance provides is a key priority for the industry. We remain committed to supporting customers who have or have had cancer, as well as fostering an open dialogue with cancer charities, government and the regulator to address any barriers to accessing travel insurance. 'Unfortunately, people with pre-existing medical conditions may be more likely to need emergency medical treatment whilst abroad, which can come at a significant cost. 'This is something insurers will take into account, alongside other factors, when assessing whether they can offer you suitable cover. 'As part of a signposting agreement introduced by the FCA, if an insurer is unable to offer you cover because of a pre-existing medical condition, they will point you to specialist providers who can help you find an appropriate policy.'
