The Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley, Nigel Evans, and Paul Chuckle, TV comedian and entertainer known for being one-half of comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers, are backing end of life charity Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal.
Nigel pledged his support to the Great Daffodil Appeal and is encouraging local people in The Ribble Valley to donate and wear one of the charity’s daffodil pins to help fund vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families. Donations also support the charity’s Information and Support line, which provides a listening ear to anyone dealing with any aspect of death, dying and bereavement.
The campaign, held every March, was forced to cancel its public collections for the past two years due to the pandemic. This year, fundraising events and collections are going ahead, and the charity is urging new and existing supporters to come forward to show their support.
Last year Marie Curie provided direct support to more than 69,000 people – a 15% rise on the previous year – which is more than ever before.
Nigel Evans said: “I know thousands of people across the Ribble Valley will have received support from Marie Curie since I first became an MP almost thirty years ago and this crucial support provides not only reassurance to loved ones but real expert care to those most in need.
“That is why I am so pleased to be supporting Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. At a time when Marie Curies services are needed more than ever, it is crucial that they can continue to reach those in urgent need of help. Marie Curie can only do this thanks to the fantastic generosity of the public, and I would encourage everyone to give what they can to help support this campaign.”
Paul Chuckle, who has been a supporter of Marie Curie since 2015, said: “I’m proud to be part of the Great Daffodil Appeal, helping ensure Marie Curie can raise as much awareness and money as possible so they can be there for people in their final days, weeks, months.
“The charity does fantastic work. It’s dedicated team of nurses, doctors and support staff help make the end of life experience the best it can possibly be for everyone. So, I urge you to don a daffodil pin this March and unite with Marie Curie in our wish for a better end of life care for all.”
Ruth Driscoll, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said: “We’re very grateful for the support of Nigel and Paul in helping us to raise awareness of our much-loved Great Daffodil Appeal.
“Over the past year, Marie Curie has delivered direct care to more dying people than ever before. However, the pandemic isn’t over and the additional costs of operating to ensure we keep our beneficiaries and staff safe continues which is why the Great Daffodil Appeal is so important.
“We want to make sure that everyone affected by terminal illness, wherever they may live, gets the right support, at the right time – whether that is high quality nursing care, emotional and practical support, or fast access to the benefits they need.”
During the Great Daffodil Appeal the annual National Day of Reflection will take place. On 23 March, the charity is encouraging everyone to wear a daffodil pin and take a moment to show their support for the millions of people bereaved during the pandemic and remember the people we’ve lost.
