Your guide to managing the daffodil boxes in your area

Key information about your daffodil box pack.

These are to place at your local shop or business. Each box contains 50 daffodils.

Due to charity regulations, each daffodil box must be labelled with a unique reference number. Ensure each box is labelled with the label provided (you will receive one for each box automatically and do not need to order them) before you leave it at a site, and make note of the number on the collection tin/daffodil box location form. If you are reusing boxes, please ensure you still label them with a unique reference number using the following format: your Marie Curie volunteer number/001 and so on.

The Fundraising Regulations require us to collect written consent from any site that has a collection tin or a daffodil box. If you have not yet collected consent from any of your sites, order these forms and take to them with you for your sites to complete.

Ask to put up a poster when you place your box to help draw attention to it. There will be a QR code on the posters to enable contactless donations. If you're placing these, please ask the staff on site to keep an eye on it and regularly check for any signs of tampering.

For every daffodil box you order, you'll automatically receive one thank you postcard. Use these to thank the staff on site. You can write the total amount raised from the box on the card, or add a generic thank you message if they don't want to know their total.

Use these to top up any daffodil boxes at sites that run out during the appeal.

For every daffodil box you order you will automatically receive one black cable tie. Use the cable tie inside the box to tie and secure the box at the site. If you are reusing boxes, black security ties are available to order from the portal.

Deliver all your boxes as soon as you can, so they're on display for as long as possible. You can start doing this from 1 February. If you're in Wales, it's a good idea to place them at least a couple of weeks before St David's Day if you can.

• Make sure your box is ready, with the box label placed on the back of the box.
• If you have any boxes left over from last year's appeal which are in good condition and can be used again, please use them first when you visit your sites.
• Once you receive your new daffodil box delivery, please keep the original packaging for returning any boxes at the end of the Great Daffodil Appeal.

• Remember to take your volunteer ID card with you when placing boxes.
• Pop your box on the counter or the best possible location agreed by the site.
• If it's a new box, use the black cable tie inside the box to tie and secure the box. If you are reusing boxes, black security ties are available to order from the portal.
• If the site hasn't already completed a site consent form, take one with you and ask them to complete it.
• If the site is happy for you to do so, please put up one of the posters to draw more attention to your daffodil box. 
• If any of the products you are placing contain a QR code (poster and new brand daffodil boxes), please ask the site to keep an eye on it and regularly check for any signs of tampering.
• If you can't set the box up yourself, suggest a good position when you hand it over to staff.
• Why not encourage staff to wear a daffodil to show their support?
• Leave your name and phone number with the site and ask them to get in touch if the box is lost or stolen, if they can no longer have the box or if they need more daffodils.

• Keep a record of every location where you've placed a daffodil box on the collection tin/daffodil box location form. You'll need to keep this form handy and share it with your Community Fundraiser.
• Remember to include each box's unique reference number on the form – it really helps us understand how the boxes are performing in the community and how we can make improvements.

• If the site has a collection tin all year round, remember to remove the tin and take it with you when you deliver the daffodil box.
• You can place a new collection tin when you collect the daffodil box at the end of the Great Daffodil Appeal.

• If you need more daffodil boxes, you can order them online via the order portal. Alternatively, speak to your Community Fundraiser.
• You can also order daffodil top-up bags to refill the boxes throughout the campaign.

Pick up some money bags (available on the order portal) before you go to collect your daffodil boxes – it'll make banking those coins much easier.

• You can collect your daffodil boxes from April.
• Please remember to remove any posters from the site.

• Your volunteer ID card.
• A form of nationally recognised photo ID, e.g. passport or driving licence.
• An empty collection tin to place at the site so they can continue their fundraising!
• The thank you postcards (just in case).

• Say thank you
  Try to collect the box from the person you dropped it off with. Thank them for their support and tell them you'll let them know how much they raised. If they prefer not to know, you can simply give them a thank you postcard then and there.
• Ask if they'd like a collection tin
  When you collect the daffodil box, it's a great time to ask at the site if they can take a collection tin if they don't already have one. A collection tin is a great way for them to continue fundraising for Marie Curie all year round, helping us be there for more people at the end of their life, whatever the illness.

Wherever possible, daffodil box money should be banked within two working days of collecting the box. If you're responsible for collecting multiple boxes, it might be best to bank as you go.

First, fill in the collection tin/daffodil box location form. Please remember to record the income from each daffodil box – this will be useful for your future reference and to share with your Community Fundraiser. Then, open and count collection boxes in the presence of someone who isn't related to you. After this, you'll need to fill in the income form. The person who witnessed you counting the money will need to sign the income form too.

Plan how you'll collect your boxes and bank the money. Here are some basic security procedures we'd recommend:

• Let a family member or friend know when you'll be banking money.
• Make sure you vary the route and timing of your visits to the bank.
• If there are several different banks in the area, consider going to different ones if you have more than one deposit to make.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times – try to bank in daylight hours.
• Use an innocuous carrier that doesn't draw attention to the fact you're carrying money – perhaps a rucksack.
• Don't use buckets or cloth bags.
• If you're driving, park as near to the bank as possible.

If you need further advice, contact us to talk it through. Your safety and security are the most important things for us, so please take care.

Please ensure you have paying-in slips before collecting in your daffodil boxes – your Community Fundraiser can supply these if you don't already have them. Please don't use old yellow or blue paying-in slips – these are no longer valid. All new paying-in slips now include a barcode. If banking at a Post Office, they no longer accept paying-in slips that don't have a barcode.

Using your paying-in slip book, bank the money from daffodil boxes at a branch of NatWest or Royal Bank of Scotland. In Northern Ireland, please use Ulster Bank. If you don't have a local branch, you can also use the Post Office to pay in full bags of money – try to avoid busy times if possible.

If you have any other money to pay to Marie Curie, please do this separately. Your Community Fundraiser can help if you have any questions or concerns.

If the amount counted by you and the amount counted by the bank's counting machine don't match, please tell the bank staff, then adjust the paying-in slip to make a note of the discrepancy.

If you're filling in a paper version of the income form, please send it alongside the paying-in slip stub to our Supporter Relations team using the prepaid envelope provided in your pack.

Address:
Supporter Relations Team
PO Box 23897
14 Links Place
Edinburgh
EH6 9AB

Please make sure you fill in all relevant sections before you send it to us. This is to help our Supporter Relations team know it's from you, and how much you've raised. We've included a step-by-step guide below if you're unsure which sections you need to complete.

We encourage you to use our online income form in order to reduce the amount of paper used and to simplify the process. Please view our step-by-step online income form guidance below for more support.

At the end of the Great Daffodil Appeal, please return your boxes and daffodils to our fulfilment house, using the packaging your order arrived in. If you no longer have the packaging, please contact your Community Fundraiser.

In your delivery you will receive a personalised Royal Mail returns label. Please use this to return your materials at the end of the campaign. This is pre-paid and you should not be charged at the Post Office. If you misplace your label, please use the link in your material order confirmation email to download a replacement, or get in touch with your local Community Fundraiser.

If you have a lot of stock to return, get in touch with your Community Fundraiser who can advise the best way to get this back to us.

Contact your Community Fundraiser if you're having problems with this (for example if there isn't a NatWest branch near you, or if you need some additional paying-in slips) as they'll be able to advise you what to do. You can also call our Supporter Relations team on 0800 716 146. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

To complete the online income form, go to mariecurie.org.uk/incomeform

The first time you use the form, you’ll need to select ‘create account’ (C).

You’ll need to enter:

• CARE ID number (this is your unique volunteer number) – your Community Fundraiser will let you know what this is. You’ll only need to enter this ID number once (when you register the account)
• surname
• email address – if you’re part of a Fundraising Group, please don’t use the group’s joint email address
• password – create a password of your choice. It must contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and one number.

The next time you log in to use the form, you’ll just need to enter your email address and password, then select ‘login to your account’.

If you’ve forgotten your password, just select the ‘forgot your password’ option, on the login screen.

Before you start to fill in the form, please make sure you have the paying-in slip number. This is a six-digit code found on the paying-in slip, at the bottom left-hand corner.

If you've banked income on behalf of someone else (called a supporter on this form), please have their full name and full address including postcode to hand.

A – To add details of income you’ve banked, select ‘create a new income form’ and follow the prompts on each page.

B – You can edit part of the form at any time.

C – You can also view previous income forms you've completed and submitted.

Fill out all sections of the form as instructed. If yo have any questions, please contact your Community Fundraiser 

For money raised through daffodil boxes, you should select the option ‘Daffodil boxes’ when asked what type of income you’re banking.

Keep your stamped paying-in stubs and bank receipts. Your Community Fundraiser will let you know if they need to see these for any reason.

If you have any problems with filling in the online income form, please contact your Community Fundraiser.

Follow these easy steps to help us process things quickly, add income to your ever-growing total and free up your time for more fundraising!

TOP TIP: You only need to fill in the sections highlighted.

(A) Fill in the box at the top of the form so we know who the money has come from, when it was banked and on which paying-in slip. Your Community Fundraiser will be able to give you your Marie Curie number if you don't already have a note of this.

(B) Sign the form and ask the person who witnessed you counting the money to sign it too.

(C) After you've collected your daffodil boxes, please write the number of boxes and the total amount banked from all the boxes added together in the space provided. You don't need to give a breakdown per box on the income form but make sure you have made a note of each box total on the location form, and please share it with your Community Fundraiser during catch ups.

Speak to your Community Fundraiser who'll be able to send one out to you. This is the same paying-in slip book that you would use for collection tins.

Please complete one income form per paying-in slip. Please remember to use separate income forms for public collections and daffodil boxes.

Yes. Make sure you keep an accurate record of where each box was placed and how much money was in each box on your collection tin/daffodil box location form. This will help you remember popular places for boxes next year and give you a breakdown of the income in case the site would like to know how much they helped to raise. Please share this information with your Community Fundraiser at your next catch-up.

Please also ensure you have a completed site consent form for each of your collection tin/daffodil box sites.

If you're using the paper income form, please return it to us along with the paying-in slip stub as soon as possible in the prepaid envelope supplied in your pack.

If you're using the online income form, you don't need to send us anything – but please hang on to your paying-in stubs until you catch up with your Community Fundraiser in case they need to see them.