Martin Whitfield MSP lent his support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at an event at Scottish Parliament recently.
Meeting with staff and volunteers from Marie Curie, Mr Whitfield heard about the care and support that is provided to people living with terminal illness, their families and carers across Scotland, especially throughout Covid-19.
The leading end of life charity cared for over 9,000 terminally ill people across Scotland at home and at its two Scottish hospices during 2020/21 – its highest number of patients on record since Marie Curie was established in 1948.
In 2020-21, around 13,165 people in South Scotland died; approximately 11,850 have a palliative care need.
Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service supported terminally ill people in their own homes across South Scotland, living with conditions including, respiratory diseases, cancer and heart conditions and dementia.
Supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal, which started in 1986, by donating and wearing a daffodil pin in March helps Marie Curie to continue providing vital palliative and end of life care and support.
Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“Marie Curie is Scotland’s leading end of life charity and provides first rate care for thousands of people across Scotland every year. Whether it’s in their hospices or people’s homes, Marie Curie and its dedicated nursing staff does amazing work and needs our support.
“The Great Daffodil Appeal is a very well established and supported annual fundraising event which I’m always pleased to support and help promote and urge people in the South of Scotland to donate if they can.”
Ellie Wagstaff, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Marie Curie, said:
“Thank you to Martin for his continued support. With each daffodil worn, there is a personal story, and by donating and wearing your own daffodil, it allows us to continue being there for people affected by dying, death and bereavement across Scotland when they need support the most.
“On average, each of our volunteers raise £80 from a collection shift; equivalent to four hours of nursing care, which supports terminally ill people at home or in our hospices with the palliative support they need.
“As a result of the pandemic, where hospital admissions for non-covid patients were reduced, there has been a 40% increase in deaths at home in Scotland, and Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service experienced almost a 15% uplift in demand during 2020-21 as it continued supporting terminally ill people at home.
“Our services in Scotland cost £250,000 per week to deliver, and we need people to support us to enable us to continue delivering this care and support both now and in the future.”
To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil