Photo by Jamie Simpson/Marie Curie.
MSPs give their support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at the Scottish Parliament today (17 Mar).
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. The leading end of life charity cared for over 9,000 terminally ill people across Scotland in their own homes and at its two Scottish hospices during 2020/21 – its highest number of patients on record since Marie Curie was established in 1948.
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Scottish political support helps Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal flourish
MSPs, lend their support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at the Scottish Parliament today (17 Mar).
Following a parliamentary reception last night, MSPs met with staff and volunteers from Marie Curie, to hear 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 in their own homes and at its two Scottish hospices during 2020/21 – its highest number of patients on record since Marie Curie was established in 1948.
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.
Ellie Wagstaff, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Marie Curie, said: “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 terminally ill people, their families and carers right across Scotland when they need support the most.
“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 across the country, 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.
“There has been a significant physical, emotional and financial impact on patients, their families and carers, and health and social care professionals during Covid-19 which will be long-lasting for years to come.
“We must take key learnings from the pandemic to ensure that palliative and end of life care services, including bereavement support, both now and in the future are fully equipped to meet terminally ill people’s needs, as we know that by 2040, 10,000 more people will be dying with palliative care needs each year, with two thirds of all deaths likely to happen in community settings.”
To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
Ends
Notes to Editors
Marie Curie's annual flagship fundraising appeal, the Great Daffodil Appeal is taking place throughout March. The money raised helps to support the charity's nurses, doctors, and hospice staff so they can continue working giving expert care to people at the end of life, and their families. For more information on how to fundraise or donate, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
About Marie Curie Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity. The charity provides essential
nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end of life care and bereavement support.
Natalie Davidson
Senior PR & Communications Officer
Marie Curie
Care and support through terminal illness
E: natalie.davidson@mariecurie.org.uk
M: 07753258625
Media enquiries: media@mariecurie.org.uk (office hours) /0845 073 8699. For urgent out of hours media enquiries please call.
Jackie Baillie and Labour leader Anas Sarwar supporting Marie Curie at the Scottish Parliament.
By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie MSP lent her support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at an event at the Scottish Parliament.
Meeting with staff, Ms Baillie 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 1,255 people across West Dunbartonshire died with approximately 1,230 having a palliative care need.
Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service made 117 visits to support terminally ill people in their own homes across West Dunbartonshire, living with conditions including respiratory diseases, cancer, 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.
Jackie Baillie MSP said: “It is a pleasure to support Marie Curie – an extremely worthwhile and hard-working charity. We must support hospice staff to ensure they can continue providing world-class care to those with terminal illness, many of whom we have sadly lost throughout the pandemic.
“They have been under more pressure now than in any other time in their 70-year history. During the last two years, when family members couldn’t be with their loved ones, Marie Curie was there.
“As the need for palliative care increases, it is crucial that we support hospices to deliver this work and I give my full support to Marie Curie and other hospices in the area like St.Margaret’s in Clydebank.”
Ellie Wagstaff, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Marie Curie, said: “Thank you to Jackie for her 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.
HM the Queen and Prince Philip, whose life is being celebrated today at a service in Westminster Abbey, on a morale boosting visit to the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank.
“As a result of the pandemic, where hospital admissions for non-Covid patients were reduced, there has been a 40 percent increase in deaths at home in Scotland, and Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service experienced almost a 15 percent 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.”
Marie Curie fund-raiser extraordinaire Petra McMillan pictured training for charity events in the Long Crags above Dumbarton. Picture by Bill Heaney
Marie Curie’s annual flagship fundraising appeal, the Great Daffodil Appeal takes place throughout March. The money raised helps to support the charity’s nurses, doctors, and hospice staff so they can continue working giving expert care to people at the end of life, and their families. For more information on how to fundraise or donate, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. The charity provides essential nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end of life care and bereavement support.
