Christmas tree decorated with 2,000 daffodils

A CHRISTMAS tree decorated with daffodils will brighten up a town centre – all in aid of charity.

People dropping into the visitor centre in Caerphilly will be able to see the tree in full bloom after it was unveiled by actor Mark Lewis Jones and TV presenter Matt Johnson yesterday.

The tree, which has been decorated with 2,000 flowers, is all in aid of Marie Curie, which provides care and support to people living with a terminal illness.

It was the idea of visitor centre manager Martin Cook, after the Marie Curie Caerphilly fundraising froup met to discuss their fundraising plans in August.

He said: “I mentioned to one of the Marie Curie volunteers that we were looking for inspiration on how to decorate our Christmas tree this year and I suggested perhaps covering it with daffodils could be a possibility.

“Marie Curie is a charity very close to our hearts at the visitor centre, as so many of our customers have received care and support from the charity. The visitor centre has supported the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal for many years.

“We hope that putting the Marie Curie daffodil at the heart of our Christmas celebrations will encourage people to make a donation to help continue the valuable work done by Marie Curie.”

Mark, who has supported the charity since 2014, added: “Funds raised in communities like Caerphilly are vital to help Marie Curie continue to provide care and support to families across Wales and the UK, and I must thank the Visitor Centre for highlighting the charity during the festive season. The daffodil tree looks wonderful.”

Clare Wright, community fundraiser for South East Wales for Marie Curie, thanked the visitor centre for its support during the Christmas season and said she would like to encourage more people to do some festive fundraising in their workplace this winter.

“For a lot of the people we care for who are living with a terminal illness, and their families, Christmas can be a particularly poignant time,” she said.

“That’s why we’re so grateful for this support, to help us raise funds for and awareness of the care and support Marie Curie is able to give to people at this time of year.

“Our information and support line is also open throughout the festive period, so anyone looking for help, or just a listening ear, can call up to get the support they need at what can be a difficult time for many.”