Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal launched at the Senedd

Marie Curie’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal is officially underway in Wales after a launch event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay today.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie’s flagship fundraising campaign, and this year’s appeal was launched by Deputy Health Minister, Vaughan Gething AM, and Marie Curie’s Chief Executive Dr Jane Collins.

Each year the appeal encourages people to donate and wear the charity’s iconic daffodil throughout February and March. Money raised through the Great Daffodil Appeal helps fund the charity’s work supporting people living with a terminal illness, and their families, throughout Wales as well as in the Cardiff & The Vale Hospice in Penarth.

The Wednesday 11th February launch event provided the stage to showcase some of the charity’s work in Wales, including the innovative South Wales Helper Service. The initiative sees volunteers paired with people affected by terminal illness, offering them support and companionship. Those in attendance heard from Jo Parry, who runs the South Wales Helper Service, as well as Jenny Latham, who is currently receiving support from a Helper volunteer.

The event also saw some of Wales’ top fundraising volunteers honoured for their efforts supporting the charity. The Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising in Wales award was presented to the CarTen100 group, who raised more than £80,000 for Marie Curie through their annual 100-mile Cardiff to Tenby charity cycle ride. Meanwhile, Arlene Smith was named as Fundraiser of the Year (West Wales), Barbara Norbury won the Fundraiser of the Year (North Wales) title and Fundraiser of the Year (South Wales) was accepted by Wyndham Perkins on behalf of the Perkins family.

As part of the launch to kick-start the 2015 Great Daffodil Appeal, the Senedd was filled with poignant reminders of Marie Curie’s work thanks to artwork produced by South Wales photographer Patrick Olner. Patrick spent a year following and photographing the work of Marie Curie Nurses, staff and volunteers, and this week he has opened an exhibition to showcase his work. ‘Fairy Dust – Marie Curie at Work in Wales’ is currently on show at the Pierpoint in Cardiff Bay.

Simon Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Wales for Marie Curie, said: “We are pleased to have the support of our Assembly Members as we launch this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal – an appeal that raises vital funds to support our work in homes across Wales, as well as the Cardiff & The Vale Hospice in Penarth.

“Every year the people of Wales never cease to amaze us with their generosity and support for our Great Daffodil Appeal, and I’m sure this year will be no different as people recognise the importance of the work we carry out. On behalf of Marie Curie, I would like to thank all those who continue to donate and enable us to keep supporting people affected by terminal illness across Wales.”

Vaughan Gething AM, Deputy Health Minister, said: “Vaughan Gething AM, Deputy Minister for Health, said: “I’m delighted to launch this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal which plays such an important role in raising money for Marie Curie’s excellent work in supporting people and their families living with a terminal illness, right across the country.
 
“I am sure people across Wales will once again show their support by wearing a daffodil during February and March this year.”

For more information about Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal please call 0845 601 3107 or visit www.maricurie.org.uk/daffodil.