Terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, needs the help of volunteers in South Leeds to give two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.
The charity’s annual fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal, takes place in February and March and Marie Curie are hoping to get more people than ever wearing the daffodil pin.
The collections are taking place at:
• Hunslet Morrisons – Thursday 28 February, Saturday 1 March and Sunday 2 March 2019
• Morley Morrisons – Thursday 28 February, Saturday 1 March and Sunday 2 March
• Leeds Train Station – Saturday 16 March
• Leeds City Centre Street Collection – Saturday 30 March
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 means that Marie Curie nurses can be there for more people living with a terminal illness, providing them with vital one-to-one nursing care and support in their own homes.
Gary Strachan, 55, from Colton in Leeds, began volunteering for Marie Curie a number of years ago after his wife was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. He says:
“I started off undertaking voluntary work for Marie Curie during the Great Daffodil Appeal a couple of years ago, partaking in about three or four collections at first but have continued to do so and now do regular fundraising for the charity.
“One of the main reasons I volunteer to collect is that eight years ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. We were told it had already spread and is now terminal but thankfully the tumours are currently being stabilised by her medication. My involvement with Marie Curie is a consequence of that diagnosis and subsequent enduring rollercoaster ride.
“Volunteering for Marie Curie doesn’t just help them and their excellent work but it also gives me a lift too. In recent years I’ve been battling with long term depression as a result of my wife’s illness, and I find voluntary work a great self-help vehicle. It’s such an uplifting experience helping the charity and has given me an outlet and has been really beneficial to me.”
Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Leeds, Faye Cryer said:
“Whatever your story, donating and wearing a daffodil pin during February and March unites you with millions of others to help make sure all dying people get the care and support they deserve.
“Volunteering just two hours of your time at a collection near you means that you are raising money to help make sure more dying people get the care and support they need at the end of their lives. What’s more, collecting is lots of fun, you can do it on your own or with friends, and Marie Curie will support you from the moment you sign up.”
To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity’s daffodils pins in return for donations visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or call Faye on 01904 755 260 or 07525 392983.
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