A striking over-sized daffodil is coming to Swansea to launch Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal. The ‘Great Big Daffodil’ will visit the Quadrant shopping centre on February 22 and 23.
The Great Daffodil Appeal raises money so thousands of people with a terminal illness can receive 1.2 million hours of free nursing care at home or in a Marie Curie hospice, as well as support for their families.
This year’s Great Daffodil Appeal is giving people the opportunity to share the personal stories behind why they wear one of Marie Curie’s instantly recognisable daffodil pins.
At the Great Big Daffodil people can take a moment to reflect, remember and pay tribute to those who have been special to them. They can write something or add a photo into the paper books within each petal or speak to one of the Marie Curie team.
Daffodil pins are available in exchange for a donation from volunteers around the city on Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23 and until the end of March from Marie Curie shops, Superdrug, Spar, Hotter and Wyevale Garden Centres.
Swansea is one of six cities around the UK where the giant daffodil will appear during the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal. The memories, stories, pictures and tributes to people around the UK will come together and be celebrated at a special event in London.
Those who can’t get to the Great Big Daffodil can still take part by sharing stories or following its 1,500-mile journey around the UK on social media using #everydaffodil.
Marie Curie Senior Nurse, Helen Siddons, said: “In our busy lives, we often don’t have time to stop and pay tribute to the people who are special to us – both the loved ones we’ve lost and those that are still here. Behind every daffodil, there’s a story – and we hope our Great Big Daffodil will help people to find a moment to reflect and share theirs. Whatever your story, donating and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil will help make sure one of our nurses can be there when someone special needs us most.”
Gerard is making a special trip to the Great Big Daffodil because his wife was cared for by Marie Curie Nurses in the last week of her life at their home last year.
Gerard said: “That last week was a difficult week, but it was made a little bit better and easier by the support we had from Marie Curie. Apart from the care they gave to Sandra to make her comfortable, they had compassion for the whole family. You could never fault them for anything. Joan was the Marie Curie nurse that night. She called us and said that it was time. When it got to a certain point, she said to me – “go and hold her hand”. I didn’t even realise when she had gone. It was very peaceful at the end.”
Lisa Hartley, Quadrant Shopping Centre manager, said: “The support and care Marie Curie delivers is inspiring and a lifeline to so many individuals and families across the Swansea community. We are absolutely delighted and honoured that Quadrant Shopping Centre has been chosen by the charity to kick off this amazing campaign. Our retailers and shoppers alike are always incredibly supportive and I know that they will help make this launch an event to remember.”
