ELEANOR LAING MP - MEDIA RELEASE - MP supports Marie Curie appeal

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing and actress and presenter Linda Robson have joined forces to ‘get behind the daffodil’ this March and help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness.

Mrs Laing and Linda were pictured with Marie Curie Nurses Leonie Christian and Elisabeth Goze at a parliamentary event in Westminster to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.

Mrs Laing pledged her support to the appeal and is encouraging local people to help the charity raise more money than ever before by simply giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, available from volunteers across the country, or Superdrug and WHSmiths shops, and Wyevale garden centres, during March.

Mrs Laing said: “I was delighted to meet Linda Robson and to have a chat about Chigwell and her days in the hit TV series.

“It was also a pleasure to meet the lovely ladies who had helped to look after Linda’s mother. Having good care at the end of your life is so important and Marie Curie does a wonderful job in helping families at these difficult times.”

Linda, who plays Tracey in Birds of a Feather, and co-presents ITVs Loose Women, is a long-time supporter of Marie Curie having experienced first-hand the vital work of the charity.

She said: “Our mum, Rita, was cared for by Marie Curie and we could never have coped without their constant support and care in her final months. Our family still cannot put into words just how grateful we are.

“I’m delighted to be here with Eleanor Laing to help launch the 30th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal - and to thank personally Leonie and Elisabeth for their incredible care and support when we needed them the most.”

Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said: “Having the support of Eleanor Laing and Linda makes a huge difference to Marie Curie in terms of raising awareness about what we do and helping us to reach more people who need us.

“We know that seven out of ten carers say people with a terminal illness don't get all the care and support they need. We don't think that's good enough. That’s why we are asking MPs to commit to ensuring that everyone has the right to palliative care when they need it and help support our annual fundraising appeal.

“Our services rely on charitable donations, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who gives a donation and wears a daffodil pin during March.

“The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones at home and in one of the charity’s nine hospices.”

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie has also published a new report which shows that people living with blood or brain cancer - which together account for around ten per cent of all cancer deaths annually - are more likely to miss out on care and support focussed on providing relief from symptoms, pain and emotional stress.

The report, backed by Bloodwise and the Brain Tumour Charity, argues that all people with cancer should have their palliative care needs assessed when they are first diagnosed.

For more information about the Great Daffodil Appeal and to volunteer to collect for Marie Curie, ring 0845 601 3107 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil.

To donate £5 text DAFF to 70111 or ring 0800 716 146 and donate over the telephone.