It is time to chuckle for a cause close to his heart as Paul Chuckle sets off on a nationwide journey to say thank you – raising thousands for end of life care along the way.
Paul Chuckle MBE is embarking on a UK-wide “Thank you” tour to celebrate 40 years of the Great Daffodil Appeal, the flagship fundraiser of Marie Curie.
Between Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 11, Paul will travel from John O’Groats to Land’s End, joining charity collections and meeting supporters, volunteers and staff. He aims to raise £40,000 for the appeal.
As part of the tour, Paul will visit Exeter on Monday, March 9, stopping at Morrisons on Prince Charles Road from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
He will then travel on to Plymouth on Tuesday, March 10, where he is due to appear at the Plymouth Argyle ground from midday until 2pm.
Along the route, he will be travelling with the “Daff bike”, a Marie Curie-branded “Chuckle bike”, meeting special guests and encouraging donations to support the charity’s work providing expert end of life care across the UK.
Paul and his brother Barry became official Marie Curie ambassadors in 2016. Paul has continued to support the charity following the care Barry received from Marie Curie at the end of his life in 2018.
The Great Daffodil Appeal takes place annually, with 2026 marking its 40th anniversary. The fundraiser encourages people to wear a daffodil pin and donate, with money raised helping to fund care and support for people living with a terminal illness and those close to them.
Paul said: “I’m incredibly proud to be a Marie Curie ambassador. Marie Curie helped care for my brother Barry at the end of his life in 2018, so it’s a charity very close to my heart.
“When you think about it, there’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life. That’s why the Great Daffodil Appeal is so important.
“Every penny raised will help Marie Curie provide expert end of life care and support to people with a terminal illness and those close to them.
“So, when I heard it was the 40th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal, I knew I wanted to do something big, and something fun.
“Whilst I’d love to be able to cycle the iconic John O’Groats to Land’s End route like so many incredible fundraisers do, I’m really excited to get to travel the route with the ‘Daff bike’, raise lots of money for the charity and meet as many Marie Curie supporters, volunteers and staff as possible to say a huge thank you – from me to you!”
Emma Rogers, senior nurse at University Hospital Plymouth’s Marie Curie PICT team, said: “We are so excited to welcome Paul to Plymouth on his mammoth tour of the UK, thanking our loyal supporters and volunteers for the last 40 years of backing for the Great Daffodil Appeal.
“One in three people in England do not get the palliative and end of life care they need. The Great Daffodil Appeal gives Marie Curie the chance to provide expert end of life care and support to people, whatever their illness.”
Supporters can join Paul at his Exeter and Plymouth stops, donate and take pictures with the “Daff bike”.
Donations to support the Great Daffodil Appeal can be made via Paul’s fundraising page at mariecurie.org.uk/frommetoyoutour.
