A Devon woman who went back to her fundraising roots is among the more than 200 people across the county being thanked by leading end of life charity Marie Curie for collecting donations during its biggest annual fundraiser.
Kathy Beauchamp, 72, from Westward Ho! North Devon first supported the charity back in her school days, and this year signed up for a supermarket collection during the charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal, which marked its 40th year this March.
Looking back at her start in fundraising, she said: “I was at Hurlingham School for Girls in Parsons Green, London and I was in the Marie Curie house.
“Every Christmas we had the little like stamps and the gift tag stickers we used to have to sell, you know, and I remember particularly one year – 1964 to 1971 I was in this school – one year I actually raised five pounds, which in those days was a lot of money.”
She said through the years since her schooling, she continued to get the stickers until she moved but would continue to donate each time she saw a Marie Curie tin.
When she spotted a call requesting collector volunteers this year for the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser, she immediately signed up to collect at Morrisons in Bideford, raising £83.81.
She said collecting made her think of family, but also those people who would get support from Marie Curie due to her fundraising.
“For some people, it might be the only help they get because they perhaps haven’t got family or family live too far away,” she said.
“It’s something that’s dear to my heart. I would like to continue to collect for the charity.”
Kathy was among 217 collector volunteers across Devon who have so far raised £14,000 for the charity during this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal. In Plymouth, more than £5,500 has been raised across several collections, while a Lions group in Budleigh Salterton raised around £500. Volunteers in Tiverton Morrisons raised £2660, with thousands raised by other volunteers across the county.
The Great Daffodil Appeal encourages everyone to wear their daffodil pins and donate through the month of February and March to help Marie Curie bring expert end of life care to more people.
The charity’s flagship fundraiser helps raise much needed funds so that Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert support and hospice care in the comfort of home. The charity also provides support via its information and support services, including a Support Line.
Riona Houghton, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Devon, said: ““We believe everyone deserves expert end of life care, no matter the illness, no matter where they live.
“Without supporters like Kathy helping us collect during our 40th Great Daffodil Appeal we cannot continue to fundraise for the cause.
“Volunteering is so rewarding and a great way to give back to your local community. I’d like to thank all those who have given their time to support something amazing and help Marie Curie continue to provide expert end of life care and support for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and their loved ones.”
There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life. This Great Daffodil Appeal help give people the care they need. To donate visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
