Maggie’s Fest set to raise £25,000 to support people as soon as they’re diagnosed with cancer

Maggie’s Fest is back for 2025 with hopes of raising £25,000 to help support people who’ve just been diagnosed with cancer.

Maggie’s Fest, the festival at Brimstage Farm in Wirral has already raised £35,000 for cancer centre Maggie’s in its first two years.

But in this, its third year, the charity is hoping it can raise a spectacular £25K in 2025, to fund its pioneering Getting Started programme.

The programme has been launched to introduce people to Maggie’s which helps people currently living with and beyond cancer as well as those newly-diagnosed.

Sasha Mathias, centre fundraising manager, says: “We are introducing more support services and one of those is Getting Started.

“Through that, anyone who has just been diagnosed with cancer and is going to be treated comes here for their first appointment ahead of treatment, rather than in the hospital.

“With the help of the hospital teams we help to prepare them by going through what that treatment entails, and what the side effects might be. We show them a film and really just reassure and prepare them so they’re not going into it feeling anxious.”

It also lets them know about Maggie’s, adds Sasha, as early as possible in their cancer journey: “That way they learn about all the vital services we offer and are able to access them much sooner.

“We already know that, in comparison with this time last year, we’ve got a 25% increase in people coming to us.

“So we are hoping that this music and family festival, Maggie’s Fest, will be more popular than ever this year and help support that, and help us to be there for the people who need us.”

Maggie’s Fest is being held at Brimstage Farm in Brimstage Road on Saturday, September 6, for the ‘ultimate family festival experience’.

It runs from 12 noon to 7pm with a packed programme of music and entertainment, and activities.

Live Entertainment includes back-to-back performances from talented acts including indie, rock and pop band Xebra; popular four-piece band Eden; rock indie band The Regulators, and singer Mike Ryan; as well as The Victoria Academy of Dance; ExtravaDance, and Freedom Dance Studios.

There’s full access to all Brimstage Farm activities which includes their famous maize maze; giant jumping pillows; Maizy’s Play Barn (indoor soft play centre); a barrel ride adventure, pedal karts, a climbing wall and ziplines.

Sasha adds, “Brimstage Farm has added new events this year like its Moo-Nicipal golf and imagination rooms, ‘farm-cade’ games, Blasters and Little Farmhand’s mini maze trail!

“Most people go there for a full day of fun without the music!”

“We’re so excited to welcome Maggie’s Fest back,” says Jo from Brimstage Farm. “It’s one of the highlights of our year, seeing the community come together in support of such an incredible cause. 

“We had added even more fun this year, and we can’t wait to see families making memories and enjoying themselves while helping Maggie’s continue their work.”

There’s a bigger-than-ever collection of local independent businesses offering unique treats, crafts, and goodies.

And there’s lots of food and drink, including a bar.

Sasha says, “You can even bring a picnic if you want, to make it a magical, affordable day for the whole family.

“We really are hoping it’s the biggest one yet in terms of the number of people coming to support us, and that’s why we’ve got all the things that people loved as well as new activities too.

“We’ve invited local school children and their families and we just want everyone to come along and have a great day and help support Maggie’s.

“It’s more than just a music festival. Hopefully we can raise a huge amount of money to support all those vital services.”

Tickets for Maggie’s Fest are £16 for adults 16+; £7 for children aged 4-15; and children aged three and under are free.  

A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £33.

For more information and to buy tickets head to the website.

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