Every year hundreds of thousands of volunteers donate their time and efforts in aid of Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. This annual campaign raises awareness and funds for the charity's vital work, who give care and support to those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and also (equally as importantly) their families. With an ever aging population, terminal illness is a frequent reality for many modern families, and one which can be incredibly difficult to face alone. Marie Curie gives a level of care which is all too absent in the current health care system: answering to an increasing need of the general public for personal palliative care.

Every volunteer has their reasons for why they involve themselves in charity work for Marie Curie: they may have been helped by the charity directly, enjoy the social aspect of collection and events, or may simply be generous people. Often, the most inspiring of stories come from those who have overcome adversity and still strive to help others. And there is none story more so inspiring than that of local resident and lifelong Shakers fan Peter James-Robinson. Surviving multiple terminal illnesses himself, and only being given 18 months-2 years to live, Peter has gone on to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity: a self-labelled “stubborn-devil”. In addition to his own illness, Peter has sadly lost three of this family members to cancer, giving him an understanding of the impact terminal illness can have on the whole family.

Peter has been (officially) collecting for Marie Curie for 8 years in total, along with a whole host of other charities. Launching Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraiser in Bury this year, Peter has been at the forefront of this year’s campaign in Lancashire. Collecting on high streets, in shops, and volunteering, he has devoted a considerable amount of his time and effort in the aid of others. His efforts have seldom gone unnoticed: meeting Princess Anne in 2009 and charming the Queen when receiving his MBE. It is this element of social contact and the people around him that he identifies as his key motivation for all of his work. The power of a team to help others that cannot help themselves is what drives his endless efforts for charity.

Peter comments that a key reason for working with Marie Curie, is the amount of respect and care volunteers and collectors receive. Every effort is not gone unnoticed and a dedicated team of local members ensure every penny collected goes straight to Marie Curie.

To name just a few of the superb people Peter works with he picks out the dedicated Debbie and Ian, who keep the cogs turning. He also mentions their recently departed collections coordinator Maureen, who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer and is sorely missed.

When asked what the future holds, Peter doesn't see an end point to his charity work, “I will not ever stop”. When asked why people should donate his message is simple, “We need the help, without donations we and our nurses would not be able to do our work. Even if it’s 10p, every little bit helps and we really do appreciate the help from the public—and that is from the heart.”

If you’d like more information on how to get involved with this year’s Great Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal, visit their website https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/daffodil-appeal or contact Sophie Yates, the area’s community fundraiser via email Sophie.Yates@mariecurie.org.uk.

Blog courtesy of Jade Atwood.