Nottingham cancer patients to enjoy free dinner in high street restaurant

French-inspired Bistrot Pierre, in Milton Street, is joining forces with local charity Maggie’s to donate festive meals to those in need this winter.

As part of the restaurant’s Pay It Forward campaign, diners enjoying a Christmas party of eight or more with friends and family will contribute towards a free three-course meal for a resident in their community, who will be nominated by Escape Arts.

Bistrot Pierre’s CEO Nick White said: “As we celebrate our 30th birthday this year, community continues to be at the heart of what we do and we are delighted to be opening our doors to welcome those most in need.

“Our loyal customers can make a difference to the lives of residents in Nottingham by booking a table for eight of more people on Sundays during December. Why not come and have some festive fun with us safe in the knowledge that it will be giving deserving residents a chance to enjoy their own party?

“We’re hugely grateful for the fantastic work which continues to be done by Maggie’s each year and in teaming up with them, we hope everyone can have a very happy and healthy Christmas this year.”

The initiative was born three years ago to reach out to those most impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, which continues to plague households across the UK.

Based at City Hospital, the centre at Maggie’s offers support to cancer patients, enabling them to be together or for a moment alone.

All the charity’s support specialists have expert knowledge about cancer and treatment, and many are NHS-trained.

Maggie’s was formed almost 30 years ago in Edinburgh, when founder Maggie Keswick Jencks used her own experience of having cancer to create a new type of cancer care.

Maggie, a writer, gardener and designer, felt that her diagnosis and treatment was as hard on her family as it was on her, so she created a centre that could make the experience of cancer more manageable for everyone.

She believed that with encouragement to become actively involved in treatment, and with the right information and support, people could change the way they live with cancer.

Maggie also wanted to bring people together in a calm and friendly space that would help them to find comfort in the experiences of others.

Maggie died shortly before the first centre opened, but with the support of Charles and her medical team, her vision lives on.

Annmarie Walton, centre head of Nottingham Maggie’s, said: “We often see 100 patients a day at Maggie’s, who come to the centre to receive some much-needed support and help to make their situation and feelings more manageable.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Bistrot Pierre have extended their generosity to our lovely charity this year, partnering with us to provide an opportunity for cancer patients in the community to come together and enjoy a delicious treat.”

For further information about Bistrot Pierre and its support of local charities, visit www.bistrotpierre.co.uk