PM praises 'amazing' city Maggie's effort

GORDON Brown has recognised the hard work of Maggie's in Nottingham.

The Prime Minister met Emma Critchley, Maggie's community fund-raiser for Nottingham, at an International Women's Day function at Number 10 last night.

Speaking after the event Emma said: "It was amazing.

"As soon as I mentioned Maggie's we got into conversation.

"He was talking about the one which opened in Fife and said what an amazing job we were doing in Nottingham."

Emma also met the PM's wife, Sarah Brown, who is patron of Maggie's Joy of Living Campaign.

"Sarah Brown was next to me in the photo and she was talking about the great work in Nottingham," she said.

"And she commented that she must come to Nottingham very soon.

"I said it would be a real privilege to have her."

Emma said she and Mrs Brown also talked about the interior of Nottingham's Maggie's Centre being designed by Paul Smith.

"She said that was a great achievement," said Emma.

Emma was invited to the event in Downing Street by Lilian Greenwood, Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Nottingham South.

She said: "I've been really impressed with the work that Emma is doing to bring a Maggie's Centre to Nottingham, and the fantastic support from the Evening Post. So when I received the invitation to bring a community leader to meet the Prime Minister and Sarah Brown on International Women's Day, Emma seemed the obvious choice.

"I am delighted she has agreed to be my guest."

In February, the Post celebrated the second anniversary of the launch of our £500,000 Maggie's appeal to build a £3m cancer caring centre in Nottingham.

The appeal stands at over £330,000 and the race is on to reach the target before work begins in 2010.

Emma said: "I was quite nervous, but it was a real honour to meet not only the Prime Minster, but our patron as well."

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk