Manchester shoppers encouraged to share memories of a loved one on Marie Curie’s Great Big Daffodil

Manchester shoppers are being encouraged to take a moment to share tributes and memories of a loved one on a ‘Great Big Daffodil’ which is visiting the Trafford Centre on Tuesday 3rd March.

The seven foot tall (two metre) Great Big Daffodil, which is travelling over 1,000 miles through seven towns and cities across the UK, is part of Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Shoppers at intu Trafford Centre will be able to to share their personal memories and stories by writing messages on the pages of each petal of the Great Big Daffodil, as well as speak to one of the Marie Curie team. 

Each petal contains a paper book into which people can write a message, tribute or memory, and a book will be created afterwards featuring all the memories gathered for each city.

The Marie Curie charity provides care and support to people with terminal illness and their families. Their Great Daffodil Appeal every March invites people to donate and wear one of their daffodil pins to help fund vital care and support for people living with terminal illness.

Eight million daffodil pins are distributed each year. Around £6 million was raised last year, and £120 million in total raised since the campaign began in 1986.

In Greater Manchester, the appeal helps to fund the charity’s at home nursing service, as well as its free, confidential information and support line which allows people to speak to a Marie Curie Nurse if they have questions about any aspect of terminal illness.

Trained officers can also provide practical advice and emotional support, such as guidance about day-to-day care or where to find financial support, as well as offer help with bereavement.

“Mancunians are great supporters of Marie Curie and the services we provide here,” said Lynn Partridge, Marie Curie community fundraiser for Manchester.

“Without them our nurses could not give vital care to people with terminal illness and support their families. Every year thousands of people in and around Greater Manchester donate and wear a daffodil, often in memory of or in tribute to a loved one.

“During this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal, they will be able to visit our Great Big Daffodil and take a moment to reflect and remember the person behind their daffodil and their cherished time together.” 

The Great Big Daffodil will be at the Trafford Centre on Tuesday 3rd March from 10am to 10pm, located on the ground floor in front of H&M and Boots.