Cat helps '˜make daffodils count'

Ms Smith and long-term Marie Curie supporter Jason were pictured together with Marie Curie nurses, Sally Monger-Godfrey and Lib Wolley at a parliamentary event in Westminster to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.

Ms Smith pledged her support to the appeal and is encouraging local people to help the charity raise more money than ever before by simply giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, available from volunteers across the country, or Superdrug, Spar and Poundworld stores, during March.

Morrisons supermarkets will also be holding GDA fundraising collections on March 10, 11 and 12.

Ms Smith said: “Marie Curie do amazing work here in Lancashire and across the country supporting people with terminal illnesses and their families through the toughest of times.

“I’d like to add my thanks for the work they do and offer my support for this year’s ‘Make Every Daffodil Count’ campaign, I have been wearing my daffodil in Westminster this week as the fundraising campaign begins.”

Jason, who is best known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, said: “I’m delighted to be here with Cat Smith MP to help launch Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal.

“Please help us make every daffodil count. The charity is also calling on more people to help with local collections. Volunteering a couple hours of your time will make such a difference to the care and support that Marie Curie can provide.”

Scott Sinclair, head of policy and public affairs at Marie Curie, said: “One in four people miss out on the care and support they need at the end of life. We don’t think that’s good enough. That’s why we are asking MPs to help support our annual Marie Curie fundraising appeal to help enable us to reach more people affected by terminal illness.”

Sally Monger Godfrey, Marie Curie Nurse and face of The Great Daffodil Appeal, said: “Make every daffodil count. Your daffodil means I can care for someone in their own home, and be there for them through the night. You make a difference to people at the end of their lives, which in many ways is just as important as at the start.”