Charity set to lose £1m as collections stop

Marie Curie has announced that all of its upcoming public collections in Perthshire, as part of its biggest annual appeal, will be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Great Daffodil Appeal, which runs throughout March, sees hundreds of volunteer collectors hitting high streets and supermarkets across the UK to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in exchange for donations.

The money raised from the Great

Daffodil Appeal helps Marie Curie provide much-needed expert care to people with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones, helping them to make the most of the time they have together.

The appeal also helps the charity provide practical information and support, fund research and campaigns for more people to have access to high quality, personalised care wherever and whenever they need it.

With over 2200 collections across the country cancelled with immediate effect, Marie Curie has estimated that it will lose £1 million from these vital collections alone – with further losses coming from many other cancelled fundraising activities and events.

In light of this, the charity is urgently asking people to get involved in the appeal via other ways to help its nurses to care for more people including donating online (mariecurie.org.uk/ donate) or via text-to-donate (text DAFF to 70111 to donate £5).

Meredith Niles, executive director of fundraising and engagement at Marie Curie, said:“We are extremely grateful to the thousands of people who signed up to collect for us, without whom the Great Daffodil Appeal would not exist.

“Where possible, we hope to be able to re-schedule collections and events for later in the year, and would like to thank all our volunteers, supporters, corporate partners and staff for their ongoing support at this challenging time.”