Work will start next month on Maggie's Centre in Oxford
Maggie's facility in Oxford scheduled to open in early 2014 to support up to 100 people a day
The cancer support charity Maggie’s has reached its fundraising target of £3m to build a centre in Oxford.
The charity has a network of nine centres around the UK that offer emotional and practical support for people with cancer, their families and friends.
Oxford is one of four places with interim services, which are being run from a temporary building on the Churchill Hospital site.
Work on the purpose-built centre is scheduled to start on 4 March and it is due to open early next year.
The centre has been designed by Chris Wilkinson, director of Wilkinson Eyre, the architectural practice responsible for the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. It will be based on a tree-house concept aimed at providing a "sympathetic and caring retreat" in tune with the surrounding landscape.
Funding was raised over five years and comes from individual and corporate donations, as well as legacy gifts and grants.
Laura Lee, chief executive of the charity, said: "The fundraising campaign has brought together many people in Oxford as they support the need for this cancer care provision.
"We are so grateful for their generosity and also for the support of the NHS. Maggie’s Oxford will be a truly beautiful building to support anyone with cancer in the Oxford region and beyond."
The centre will be equipped to support 100 people a day and offer services including Tai Chi, creative arts and psychological support.
