Actress Linda Robson and MP Mark Durkan supporting Marie Curie Daffodil appeal.
PIC BY PETE JONES
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan and Birds of a Feather actress & Loose Women presenter Linda Robson have joined forces to ‘get behind the daffodil’ this March and help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness in the North of Ireland.
There are more than 120 Marie Curie Nurses working in the North and the charity provides care and support for around 2,500 people living with a terminal illness here every year.
The Foyle MP and Linda Robson were pictured together with Marie Curie Nurses, Leonie Christian and Elisabeth Goze, at a parliamentary event in Westminster this week to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.
Mr Durkan said: “I am delighted to support the Great Daffodil Appeal and would encourage people to help the charity raise money by simply giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin – which are available from Marie Curie volunteers and shops, as well as Superdrug and WHSmiths during March.”
Linda Robson is a long-time supporter of Marie Curie, having experienced first-hand the vital work of the charity.
She said: “Our mum Rita was cared for by Marie Curie and we could never have coped without their constant support and care in her final months. Our family still cannot put into words just how grateful we are.
“I’m delighted to be here with Mark Durkan to help launch the 30th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal – and to thank personally Leonie and Elisabeth for their incredible care and support when we needed them the most.”
Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said: “Having the support of Mark and Linda makes a huge difference to Marie Curie in terms of raising awareness about what we do and helping us to reach more people who need us.
“We know that seven out of 10 carers say people with a terminal illness don’t get all the care and support they need. We don’t think that’s good enough. That’s why we are asking MPs to commit to ensuring that everyone has the right to palliative care when they need it and help support our annual fundraising appeal.
“Our services rely on charitable donations, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who gives a donation and wears a daffodil pin during March.
“The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones at home and in one of the charity’s nine hospices.”
