STARS from the sporting world today helped kick off the Big Build, our campaign to create a new Marie Curie Hospice for Glasgow.

Scotland boss Alex McLeish is backing the Evening Times drive which appeals to firms and individuals to raise cash to build the vital facility.

The current Marie Curie Hospice, at Stobhill Hospital, is over 30 years old and desperately needs replaced. It is hoped our campaign can generate £8million towards the total cost of a £16million facility to care for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses.

The Scotland manager said: "Almost all of us know somebody who has been affected by cancer or who has need of hospice facilities.

"My old friend and colleague, Archie Knox, coach in charge of the Scotland youth teams here at the Scottish Football Association, lost his wife to cancer a few months ago.

"It's something we have to reckon with in modern life and that's why hospice care is so important.

"The facilities will be greatly welcomed by patients and their families and friends.

"The Big Build appeal is a huge project, but Glaswegians being the people they are, I know they will get behind it."

McLeish's support is backed up former England and Rangers player Terry Butcher.

The pair are united behind the appeal to create a top-class hospice at Stobhill, said Butcher, now on the coaching staff at Partick Thistle.

He said: "My old mate, Gordon Brown, the Scotland rugby player, died a few years ago.

"I visited him when he was in a hospice in Ayr and I saw just that kind of care is needed."

"I'm very impressed by the plans for the new Marie Curie hospice at Stobhill."