Marie Curie needs the people of Milton Keynes to help spread joy this Christmas

The UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie is calling on the people of Milton Keynes to volunteer to collect for its Christmas Appeal, and help bring care, comfort and joy to people facing their last Christmas.

Marie Curie believes everyone should have expert care and support at the end of life, free from unnecessary pain, with the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their illness, wherever they are. That’s why the charity is encouraging people across Milton Keynes to give just two hours to take to their local shopping centre and collect to help raise much-needed funds to support people facing the toughest of times this Christmas.

Marie Curie helps 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 charity is dependent on public donations so that its Nurses and healthcare assistants can provide expert end of life care and support, whatever the illness. A typical two-hour collection shift raises £85 which is enough to help fund almost four hours of nursing care.

Money raised from the Christmas Appeal 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.

Lorna McGowan, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Buckinghamshire said: “No one should spend their last Christmas without the right care and support they need, when they need it. But every three minutes, someone dies without it.  

“It’s thanks to our amazing volunteers and supporters in Milton Keynes that Marie Curie can continue to provide expert care and support to people facing their last Christmas and their loved ones, at home, within the community, in our hospices, or over the phone.

“Christmas is a time for giving and there’s no better gift than time so why not volunteer to collect for Marie Curie and know you’ve made a difference to help support those going through the toughest of times in Milton Keynes. Volunteering is a fantastic way to get in the spirit of the festive season and meet new people in your community too – Yule be glad you did it!”.

People in Milton Keynes can also to choose to raise funds in their own way, whether that’s by hosting a festive-themed quiz, doing something special in memory of a loved one or turning existing plans into a fundraiser. When signing up, locals will get everything they need to make their festive fundraiser a success – including a free fundraising pack complete with tips and inspiration, posters, a collection box and a selection of Marie Curie stickers. Extra materials like invitations, bunting and social media graphics are also available. To find out more, visit mariecurie.org.uk/xmasfundraiser

To find out how you can support Marie Curie’s Christmas Appeal visit mariecurie.org.uk/christmas or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Lorna McGowan on 07753 265614 and [email protected].