By Robert Jones
THE first day of the 2020 ‘Great Big Daffodil Tour’ in Cwmbran is complete, with the Marie Curie charity to visit Cardiff next, before Manchester, Stoke, Solihull, Glasgow, Belfast and finishing up in Liverpool.
Marie Curie is the leading charity in the UK for people living with a terminal illness, leading many to share their memories over the course of each city visited.
Members of the public have the chance to write and share messages about loved ones on a big daffodil, while donating as much to the charity as they wish.
Eight million daffodil pins are distributed each year, while 2,700 nurses work across people’s homes and the nine hospices around the nation.
In attendance for the opening day were members of the Newport Fundraising Group Clare Kenney and Lynne Veary.
Kenney spoke about her role with the charity and said: “I mainly come to the supermarkets and shopping centers, and it’s quite nice when people give you the money and tell you how Marie Curie has helped them when their loved ones needed help.”
“Whether that be a hospice or nurses coming to their house, it’s quite nice to be included in that and they often thank you even though I’m not a nurse, but they thank you because you’re raising money for the charity.”
For Veary, she has been apart of the Newport Fundraising Group for the past year, while also helping with daffodil collections for 7 years.
Veary detailed how she began her journey with the charity saying: “The way I got into it was at work one day, as there was a tiny little advert in the paper from Marie Curie volunteering along with a phone number.”
“So I rang the number, and thought it would be really rewarding. A lot of people thank you for standing there looking silly and children look at you in a funny way, but it’s really worth it.”
Veary said this with a smile on her face, and although a cold day in the town centre, it didn’t stop the willingness for her and others to take two hours out of their time to provide help for those who need it.
Veary also highlighted the volunteering she does as ‘important’ due to her own family and friend experiences: “It’s just nice and it feels like you’re giving something back. The money goes to a great cause, and I’ve had a lot of family members and friends, and their families affected by cancer and terminal illnesses.”
“I think everybody knows someone who’s been affected by it because it is so common, but I just collect for everybody to help which is really rewarding.”
The next stop for the event is two more days in South Wales, as Cardiff will host another Marie Curie fundraiser in the city centre.
You can find out more information on the website, and visit the volunteers in person to help donate and raise awareness for the cause.
