END of life charity Marie Curie is calling on residents of Dorset to support its flagship fundraising campaign which has to be run differently this year for the first time in its history.

The charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal – which is reaching its 35th anniversary next month – will not involve any public collections due to the pandemic. This means the appeal could take a big hit, so people are being urged to step up and support the cause.

The charity is facing a potential loss of more than £3 million due to the cancelled public collections but has a variety of creative ways that people can support the campaign, including donning their trainers and ‘stepping up for Marie Curie’ by walking 10,000 steps every day throughout March.

All donations will ensure that Marie Curie Nurses can continue working on the frontline, providing end of life care in people’s homes throughout Dorset and the South West.

Stephanie Sterndale-Bennett, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Dorset, said: “The Great Daffodil Appeal is vitally important to us. Having been held every March for over three decades, this is the first time we’ve had to cancel all of our public collections.

"This is a huge blow as each volunteer would usually raise an average £80 from a collection shift: enough to pay for the equivalent of four hours of nursing care. In these unprecedented times we need peoples’ support now more than ever. From simply making a donation and wearing a daffodil pin to hosting a virtual ‘Wear Yellow Day’ - we’ve created a wide range of fundraising ideas in the hope that we have something to suit everyone.”

During the Great Daffodil Appeal the first annual National Day of Reflection will take place. Since the first lockdown began in 2020, millions of people have been bereaved. Join Marie Curie on 23 March, the first anniversary of the first UK lockdown, for a day to reflect and commemorate this tragic loss of life.

To support the appeal email Steph.Sterndale-Bennett@mariecurie.org.uk or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil