Chris Kamara MBE issues final call for people in Milton Keynes to volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal 2026
There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life, which is why football legend and Marie Curie ambassador Chris Kamara MBE is supporting Marie Curie in a final call on the residents of Milton Keynes to support the 40th year of its Great Daffodil Appeal this March.
Research from Marie Curie shows that the UK wants to give back, with almost half (47%) of adults intending to volunteer in 2026, but many people are held back by a lack of time (50%), concerns about the level of commitment (22%) and uncertainty about how to get involved (18%).
Volunteering for the Great Daffodil Appeal is flexible and straightforward, and you can even volunteer with family or friends. By giving up just a couple of hours to distribute the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in exchange for a donation, volunteers will raise crucial funds that will enable Marie Curie to continue delivering expert end of life care and support to more people across Milton Keynes.
The Great Daffodil Appeal encourages everyone to wear their daffodil pins and donate to Marie Curie throughout the month of March. The fundraiser raises much needed funds so that Marie Curie Nurses can provide expert end of life support and care in homes, hospitals and hospices across the country.
Marie Curie relies on public donations and last year supporters helped raise over £1.2million for the Great Daffodil Appeal, which enabled the charity to provide expert end of life care to over 42,000 people across the UK via its hospices and in people’s own homes.
Money raised also funds the charity’s free national 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 managing symptoms and navigating care to financial information, including how to get help with energy bills, and bereavement support.
Marie Curie ambassador Chris Kamara MBE said: “I’m incredibly proud to be a Marie Curie ambassador, and today I’m asking residents of Milton Keynes to please join me in supporting Marie Curie this March, as we celebrate the 40th year of The Great Daffodil Appeal.
“Just a two-hour collection is enough to help fund almost four hours of expert nursing care or five calls to Marie Curie's Support Line, so every shift can make a real difference to terminally ill people and their loved ones.
“I know from having done collections myself how fun and easy they are. So, gather your friends or family, put on your big yellow hat and donate just a couple of hours of your time to help raise vital funds that enable Marie Curie to give someone else the support that they need at the end of their life.”
Another way that people can get involved is at their local Morrisons. From 23rd February until 8th March, locals can sign up to collect in the Milton Keynesstore and Morrisons colleagues will also be hosting a range of fundraising activities. Shoppers can get involved in fundraising activities including Daffodil Dance-a-thon, Daffodil Drop Game and Daffodil Hunt.
Marie Curie is the official charity partner of Morrisons and together they have committed to help improve end of life care in local communities, whilst raising public awareness about the reality facing many families with loved ones at the end of their lives.
Lorna McGowan, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Buckinghamshire, said: “There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life, and by supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal in its 40th year, you can help Marie Curie Nurses bring expert end of life care to more people, whatever their illness.
“Taking part in a collection is an easy and fun way for volunteers to help us continue to bring vital hospice care at home to more people in Milton Keynes. We are particularly keen to find volunteers to help with a garden centre collection on Saturday 14th March. Our friendly team will be on hand to support you and make sure you have everything you need – including the big yellow hat!”
Marie Curie is also calling on fundraisers across the UK to ‘Go Yellow’ to raise funds for its Great Daffodil Appeal this year. By dressing in something yellow, holding a yellow-themed bake sale or coming up with their own yellow-themed activity, supporters will help Marie Curie bring expert end of life care to more people than ever.
To find out more about how you can support the Great Daffodil Appeal this March, visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Lorna on [email protected] or 07753 265614. You can also pick up an iconic daffodil pin in Morrisons stores from 23 February and throughout March.