Oct 13 2010 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press
John Higgins and wife Denise with cheque for Friends of Dalziel volunteers
SNOOKER star John Higgins handed over £30,000 to Motherwell’s Dalziel Centre day hospice last week.
Known as the Wizard of Wishaw, John and his wife Denise won the money in the all-star version of ITV1’s Mr and Mrs quiz show earlier this year.
John is a patron of the Dalziel Centre, a day hospice for patients, carers and families in Lanarkshire who are affected by a cancer diagnosis.
He said: “My dad (also John) has used the centre during his illness and really appreciated everything they did for him, so I became involved through that.
“He’s not doing so great just now but he’s still battling and hopefully we’ll get him fighting fit again.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the staff or the volunteers who have given up their own time to help people who are going through a terrible illness. They are worth their weight in gold.
“We had decided before the show that any money we received we’d donate to the centre. I’m just glad I could do something to help them and glad that by winning we were able to hand over a good sum of money.”
Carol Murphy, nursing sister at the centre, said: “This was an absolutely brilliant gesture by John and Denise and it’s the biggest single donation ever made to the centre.
“We are always fundraising to help pay for our counsellor who provides therapy sessions and for the little extras, such as trips and Christmas parties, which give a much-needed boost to our patients.
“This money gives us security and pays the counsellor’s salary for a couple of years so it means a great deal to us.”
l The Dalziel Centre is a day hospice, based at Strathclyde Hospital in Motherwell, for patients, carers and families in Lanarkshire who are affected by a cancer diagnosis. Patients can be referred to the centre by GPs, district nurses, Macmillan nurses, hospital staff, social workers and St Andrew’s Hospice.
People can also drop in any day from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can call the helpline on (01698) 245076.
Lanarkshire | £13653 - £16753
Lanarkshire | £25472 - £34189
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