Marie Curie to lose £1 million as charity forced to cancel all public collections
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CHARITY Marie Curie has announced all of its upcoming public collections in the Highlands, Moray and Banff will be cancelled due to coronavirus.
The charity's biggest annual appeal, the Great Daffodil Appeal, usually runs throughout March but Marie Curie has announced collections UK-wide will halt – losing the charity an estimated £1 million
The Daffodil Appeal sees hundreds of volunteers hit streets and supermarkets to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in exchange for donations.
Meredith Niles, Executive Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Marie Curie, said: "It is with great disappointment that we have decided to cancel all of our Great Daffodil Appeal public collections due to Covid-19, as well as a number of other fundraising events that were due to take place over the coming weeks and months.
"The health and safety of our dedicated volunteers and staff is of utmost importance. 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."
Money raised through the Great Daffodil Appeal helps Marie Curie provide much-needed expert care to people with terminal illnesses. 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.
With more than 2,200 collections UK-wide cancelled, Marie Curie has estimated it will lose £1 million – with further losses coming from many other cancelled fundraising activities and events.
In light of this, the charity is asking people to get involved in the appeal via other means. You can donate online at mariecurie.org.uk/donate or via text-to-donate (text DAFF to 70111 to donate £5).
If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness and concerned about coronavirus, Marie Curie's support line team are ready to help. Call free 0800 090 2309. You can also find more information ay: mariecurie.org.uk/coronavirus.
