The star, best known for his performances in Green Wing and currently appearing in Channel Four’s new series Free Agents, will be centre stage for the charity throughout the month for reasons very close to home.
After Stephen graduated from university, his mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer and looked after by Marie Curie Nurses at home before she died, just six months later, aged 45. A double blow followed in 2005, when Stephen’s father died from a brain tumour at home with Marie Curie Nurses at his side.
Stephen said: “I’d just learnt to play the guitar when I left university so I used to sit by mum’s bed and play to her, very badly I might add.
“She seemed to like it but I don’t think it would have gone down well on a hospital ward. We had many very special moments with both mum and dad in the relaxed and familiar surroundings of home.
“Having Marie Curie Nurses there to look after them meant that we could be the family we are without having to worry about anything.
“I’m proud to be supporting the appeal in any way I can and will be wearing my daffodil not only in memory of mum and dad but to support the thousands of Marie Curie Nurses going out to homes across the UK every day.”
The Great Daffodil Appeal takes place every March and encourages people to make a donation in return for a daffodil pin.
The appeal aims to raise £5 million to support the work of Marie Curie Nurses.
Find out how to get involved here.
March 2009
