South Scotland MSPs have lent their 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, Colin Smyth MSP and Brian Whittle MSP heard about the care and support that is provided to people living with terminal illness, their families and carers across Scotland.

The end of life charity supported over 8,600 terminally ill people across Scotland in their own homes and at its two Scottish hospices during 2021/22.

In the South Scotland parliamentary region, over 5,500 visits were made by the charity’s Community Nursing Service to support people in the comfort of their own homes.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “It was great to meet with staff and volunteers from Marie Curie in the Scottish Parliament recently and to learn more about the amazing work they are doing to help care for, and support, those living with terminal illness.

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“But Marie Curie not only helps those directly affected but also their families and carers.

“The Great Daffodil Appeal is a vital fundraising campaign which helps to raise money to help the charity continue to carry out their amazing work.

“I’d encourage everyone to buy a daffodil pin if they can.”

Conservative MSP Brian Whittle added: “I’m delighted to once again be supporting Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal.

"The work Marie Curie does makes such a difference to terminally ill people across South Scotland, and their families.

"Caring for a loved one with a terminal illness can be a challenge for anyone to deal with alone and can make their remaining time even harder than it needs to be.

"With the need for palliative care services only set to grow, I hope that people across South Scotland will support the Great Daffodil Appeal this year and help Marie Curie continue to deliver their vital services.”

Hayley Smith, whose husband Matt was cared for by Marie Curie Nursing Service at home, before being admitted to Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh, spoke at the event.

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Hayley said: “I'd gone a whole year of Matt being very ill with no support. I was basically his full-time carer, had to shower him and everything, and was doing all the cooking, all the cleaning, still working in between.

"I had absolutely no support.

“But in July 2021, Marie Curie stepped in and I went from having zero support to having all the help I needed.  The nurses who came to the house were fantastic. Just coming in in the morning, giving Matt a bath, enabling me to have some respite.

"I know people think they can do it on their own, but in reality it’s not sustainable – both mentally or physically. 

“The Marie Curie Nurses and Healthcare Assistants really helped Matt keep his dignity. He had the 7-day service for a week before we got a call saying that there was a bed available at the Marie Curie hospice in Edinburgh."

To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil