THE UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie is calling for volunteers in Crediton to give just a couple of hours of their time to help bring care, comfort and joy this Christmas by volunteering to collect for its Christmas Appeal.

Marie Curie believes everyone experiencing death, dying or bereavement should be able to have the best Christmas possible which is why it is encouraging people across Crediton to don a festive hat and take to their local Morrisons on Tuesday, November 28 and Friday, December 1, to help raise much-needed funds to support people facing the toughest of times this festive season.

The charity is dependent on public donations so that Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert hospice care, whatever the illness, in the comfort of their own home.

Marie Curie help people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer.  

The money raised also funds the charity’s free support line and webchat, which is available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.

Over the next five years Marie Curie aims to double the number of people across the UK being cared for and supported in homes, its hospices and through its free information and support services.

Georgia Brooks, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Devon, said: “Last Christmas the generous folk of Devon donated £3,140.56 and we are incredibly grateful to have the newly formed Marie Curie Crediton Fundraising Group working in the area helping us to raise these much needed funds.

“Christmas can be challenging for many, and we know many homes are affected by the cost of living. We appreciate every donation, of any size. For families experiencing dying, death, or bereavement, Christmas can often feel overwhelming, so we want to make sure our Hospice Care at Home and free Information and Support services are there to spread care, comfort, and joy for even more people in Devon this Christmas.

“If you are interested in helping us, we’d love to hear from you! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people in your local area, and to help get you into the Christmas spirit.”

To find out more about how you can give care, comfort and joy this Christmas visit: mariecurie.org.uk/collect or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Georgia Brooks on 07515 133895 or email: [email protected] .

To donate to Marie Curie’s Christmas Appeal, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/christmas