Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal comes to Rochdale

Bob Brierley with the Rochdale Fundraising Group for Marie Curie

Terminal illness charity, Marie Curie has launched its annual Great Daffodil Appeal. Held every March, the Appeal calls on people to donate and wear one of the charity’s daffodil pins to help fund vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness.

Marie Curie’s daffodil pins will be available from volunteers at Rochdale Tesco on Saturday 9 March and from stores including Superdrug, Spar, Hotter and Wyevale Garden Centres.

Bob Brierley, who volunteers for Marie Curie’s Rochdale Fundraising Group, said: “I’ve been a volunteer for Marie Curie for 17 years and I thoroughly enjoy being part of the organisation, helping to make a difference to people living with terminal illness and their families.

“The best part of volunteering for me is when I get to speak to local people about their experiences of how Marie Curie has supported them or someone they know. It’s very moving to hear all the stories, so I’d encourage anyone to get involved and give volunteering a go.”

Lynn Partridge, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser in Rochdale said: “Chances are, we all know someone who’s been affected by a terminal illness. And it’s heart-breaking that not everyone gets the care and support they need to live their final days with dignity, in the place they want to be.

“Whatever your story, donating and wearing a daffodil pin during March unites you with millions of others to help make sure all dying people get the care and support they deserve.”

Actress Alison Steadman is supporting the campaign after Marie Curie cared for her mum. She said: “Marie Curie gives so many people comfort and help at a time in life when it can be so frightening and difficult. My mum was cared for at one of the Marie Curie Hospices and right the way through the time she was ill, they couldn’t have been more helpful not only for her but for me and my sisters too.

“None of us know when we, or someone we love, might need that extra support, and with more people living with a terminal illness that need caring for, Marie Curie’s support is more important than ever. That is why I’m supporting the charity and their Great Daffodil Appeal and I encourage everyone to wear a daffodil throughout March. Your daffodil will bring care and support to people going through one of the toughest times any of us will face.”

Daffodil pins will also be available on high streets across Greater Manchester and stores including Superdrug, Spar, Hotter Shoes and Wyevale Garden Centres.

Every five minutes, someone in the UK dies without getting the care and support they need at the end of their life. The money raised from the Appeal will help Marie Curie be there for more people living with a terminal illness.

The charity provides practical information and support, funds research and campaigns for more people to have access to high quality, personalised care wherever and whenever they need it. It has also launched a six-month trial on its Support Line, where people with any clinical questions or concerns can speak to an Information and Support Nurse. This could be anything from understanding a diagnosis to explaining treatments or talking through symptoms.