Beatson Cancer Charity has officially opened a brand new café at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, a project that has been made possible thanks to the support and generosity of the charity’s supporters and volunteers.

To open the café, Lord Provost and charity Ambassador, Sadie Docherty joined Beatson Cancer Charity CEO David Welch, supporters of the charity, former patients of The Beatson and family members to celebrate the opening of the new facility while sampling the new Beatson Cancer Charity bespoke blend of coffee.

Lord Provost, councillor Sadie Docherty said: “I’m delighted as an ambassador of the Beatson Cancer Charity to officially open this lovely café. It’s a wonderful space and I know it will make a journey to hospital more pleasant for patients and visitors. It’s somewhere welcoming, relaxing and cheerful to sit and chat. It’s going to make a big difference to everyone who passes through these doors. I wish the Beatson well with this new endeavour and, on behalf of the city, thank everyone here for the wonderful work they do.”

David Welch, Chief Executive at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “The Beatson is a world leading cancer centre where patients and families receive the very best treatment and support. It is the aim of Beatson Cancer Charity through its new café, along with the existing Welcome and Wellbeing Services to help make the patients’ experiences and that of their family even more friendly, comfortable and welcoming.

“I’d like to give my sincere thanks to everyone involved in this project for all their support, advice and contributions. The Beatson Café not only looks great, it will serve thousands of visitors to The Beatson and will make a significant difference to the cancer centre.”

The charity is also calling on volunteers to help with the day to day running of the café. Kathleen McLaren, Trading Manager at Beatson Cancer Charity added: “We're looking for outgoing volunteers to take on regular morning or afternoon shifts. Whether you have a personal connection to The Beatson or have an interest in volunteering, we’d love to hear from people who are passionate about supporting such a great cause. This is a really unique opportunity to support the charity in a fantastic new facility and at the same time be a friendly face to so many patients and their relatives.”

The Beatson Café provides a relaxed and comforting area for patients, families, friends and staff to unwind with high quality refreshments. The Café will serve a wide range of cold and hot drinks, delicious soups and sandwiches, as well as tasty snacks and cakes during the day Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm, to coincide with clinic hours.

All funds raised from The Beatson Café will help the charity provide specialist staff posts including nursing, radiography, physics and research based staff as well as funding enhanced medical equipment, innovative service developments and novel research projects and educational initiatives to support the 8000 new patients who attend  The Beatson and its satellite locations each year.