Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, and Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs have joined forces to ‘Make Every Daffodil Count’ this March and help Marie Curie provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness.
Catherine and long-term Marie Curie supporter Jason were pictured together with Marie Curie Nurses, Sally Monger-Godfrey and Lib Wolley at a Parliamentary event held this week to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.
The Newcastle North MP hosted the event in Westminster on behalf of Marie Curie, and renewed her ongoing support for the charity’s work and their annual appeal. She is also encouraging constituents to help Marie Curie raise more money than ever before by simply giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, available from volunteers across the country, or Superdrug, Spar and Poundworld stores, and Wyevale Garden Centres, during March.
Morrisons supermarkets will also be holding Great Daffodil Appeal fundraising collections on 10th, 11th & 12th March.
Catherine said:
‘I have seen for myself the incredible work that Marie Curie does to support people living with terminal illness across Newcastle – whether at their hospice, through services provided in people’s homes, or their Helper volunteer programme.
‘It was an honour to host the launch of this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal in Parliament, and I would encourage everyone to give whatever support they can to this precious cause.’
Jason, who is best known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, said:
‘I’m delighted to be here with Catherine to help launch Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal.
‘Please help us make every daffodil count. The charity is also calling on more people to help with local collections. Volunteering a couple hours of your time will make such a difference to the care and support that Marie Curie can provide.’
Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said:
‘Having the support of Catherine and Jason makes a huge difference to Marie Curie in terms of raising awareness about what we do and helping us to reach more people who need us.
‘One in four people miss out on the care and support they need at the end of life. We don’t think that’s good enough. That’s why we are asking MPs to help support our annual Marie Curie fundraising appeal to help enable us to reach more people affected by terminal illness.
‘Our services rely on charitable donations, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who gives a donation and wears a daffodil pin during March.’
Sally Monger Godfrey, Marie Curie Nurse and face of The Great Daffodil Appeal, said:
‘Make every daffodil count. Your daffodil means I can care for someone in their own home, and be there for them through the night. You make a difference to people at the end of their lives, which in many ways is just as important as at the start.’
Catherine’s hosting of the Great Daffodil Appeal launch follows her visit to Marie Curie’s Newcastle hospice, and a debate she led in Parliament on support for people with terminal illness.
More information about volunteering for a local collection can be obtained by calling 0800 304 7025 or visiting www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil.