New cancer centre to honour female racing driver

An artist's impression shows how the centre will look when it opens next year

Work is under way to build a new cancer centre which will be named after a female racing driver from the 1960s.

Diana Russell donated nearly £2.5m to the project at Northampton General Hospital.

The centre, which will be run by the Maggie's charity, will offer free psychological, emotional and practical support to people with cancer and their families.

The building is expected to open by the end of next year.

Diana Russell was a member of the Phipps brewery family, based in Northampton, and was a familiar figure on racing circuits in the 1960s and 1970s.

She also owned a vintage car showroom in Northampton.

She left a legacy of £2,425.000 towards the new cancer centre in 2022.

Diana Russell drove racing cars, including this 1922 Leyland Eight

Christina Attridge, the legal adviser for the Diana Russell legacy, said: “Diana was very passionate about Northampton and proud of her roots, she wanted her wealth to benefit local people.

"Diana would have loved Maggie’s ethos and the permanent centre is a way to honour her memory in a way that fits her generosity and pioneering spirit."

Work has started on the cancer centre in the grounds of Northampton General Hospital

The centre has been designed by Stephen Marshall Architects and will have a garden landscaped by Arne Maynard in the grounds of the hospital.

The Maggie's chief executive, Dame Laura Lee, said no referrals or appointments would be needed to visit the centre

Dame Laura Lee, the chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “I am delighted to get started building Maggie’s for the people of Northampton and the wider region.

"It takes us closer towards our aim of reaching as many people living with cancer as possible.

She added that the centre will be open to anyone who needs it, and the support will be provided free of charge "and no appointment or referral necessary".