For every bunch of daffodils purchased in SPAR NI stores from 17^th February until 31^st March, 10p will be donated to Marie Curie.

A year of fundraising in 2024, resulted in a donation total of £107,000, thanks to store staff and shoppers’ support. SPAR NI has partnered with Marie Curie for the past eight years and through a number of fundraising events and annual initiatives has raised a total of over £950,000 for the charity.

Daffodils in March are a timely reminder of what Marie Curie’s iconic floral symbol means to many who not only rely on the care provided by the charity, but to those who volunteer and work for Marie Curie too.

Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI said: “We have so many team members who have shared their stories of how Marie Curie provided their families with invaluable support during incredibly difficult times, and alongside our communities, we understand the need for compassionate end-of-life care in Northern Ireland.

“The Great Daffodil Appeal enables us to show our appreciation and raise awareness of the charity, the nurses and the amazing work they do for people across the country when they need them most.

“This appeal makes it even easier for our shoppers to show their support when in their local stores and we wish to thank our shoppers for their generosity to this appeal each and every year.

“We are committed towards continuing our support for Marie Curie and the unrivalled care they provide. Whatever the illness, Marie Curie are with patients, and their family and friends, to the end.”

Connor O’Kane, Senior Partnership Manager at Marie Curie said: “Marie Curie is hugely grateful to all at SPAR and their customers for their phenomenally generous ongoing support. Your commitment to our cause helps us make a difference for a family each and every day.”

Marie Curie provided vital end-of-life care to more than 5,000 people across Northern Ireland last year, in patients’ homes and at its Belfast hospice. Daffodils are available across selected SPAR NI stores from 17^th February – 31^st March.

For more information on the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit www.spar-ni.co.uk/marie-curie/ and www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil

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For every bunch of daffodils purchased in SPAR stores from 19^th February until 31^st March, 10p will be donated to Marie Curie.

Marie Curie provides vital end-of-life care to thousands of people across Northern Ireland, and with the help of SPAR NI, the Great Daffodil Appeal is a chance to give back and show appreciation to the charity.

A year of fundraising in 2023, resulted in a donation total of over £142,000, thanks to store staff and shoppers’ support. SPAR NI has partnered with Marie Curie for the past seven years and through a number of fundraising events and annual initiatives has raised a total of over £840,000 for the charity.

Daffodils in March are a timely reminder of what Marie Curie’s iconic floral symbol means to many who not only rely on the care provided by the charity, but to those who volunteer and work for Marie Curie too.

SHOW APPRECIATION

Ryan Hand, television and radio presenter, is a new Marie Curie ambassador. He has been a dedicated supporter of the charity since his mother Pauline died from cancer in 2008. After fundraising £16,000 and raising awareness of the charity, he will be running his sixth marathon, the London Marathon, for Marie Curie later this year.

“Marie Curie is one of those vital health services you don’t necessarily know a lot about until one of your relatives or a close friend is facing terminal illness,” said Ryan.

“Myself and my wider family really needed them when my mother, aunt and cousin all died from cancer and are eternally grateful for their care.”

Laura Thompson, Corporate Marketing Manager at Henderson Group which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland said: “The Great Daffodil Appeal makes it even easier for our shoppers to show their support when in store. It enables us to show our appreciation and raise awareness of the charity, the nurses and the amazing work they do for people across the country when they need them most.

“We are committed towards continuing our support for Marie Curie and the unrivalled care and compassion they provide. Whatever the illness, Marie Curie are with patients, and their family and friends, to the end.”

During the Great Daffodil Appeal, on Sunday 3^rd March, Marie Curie is holding the fourth annual Day of Reflection, encouraging people to come together to remember loved ones who died during the pandemic and to arrange a reflective activity or event, or to take part in a minutes’ silence to show support to the people who are grieving.

‘The Great Daffodil Appeal makes it even easier for our shoppers to show their support when in store’

Grandmother Roberta McKittrick from Dundonald died at Marie Curie’s Hospice last May at the age of 75. Before she died, she spoke about the care she received and said: “The care at Marie Curie is just indescribable. Money couldn’t pay for what the staff do for you here. If I had all the money in the world I would give it to Marie Curie, for all the work they do. It’s not just nursing, but the way they do it, it’s done with love.”

Mrs McKittrick’s family spoke of the care she received: “Our mother was so happy to be at Marie Curie hospice and as a family we were so relieved that she could spend her last days surrounded with expert medical and nursing care. We know that Marie Curie also provides hospice care at home for thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland and as a family, we support SPAR NI’s fundraising appeal to support this vital service.”

Marie Curie provided vital end-of-life care to more than 5,000 people across Northern Ireland last year, in patients’ homes and at its Belfast hospice. Daffodils are available at over 300 SPAR NI stores from 19^th February to 31^st March.

For more information on the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit www.spar-ni.co.uk/marie-curie/ and www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil

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SPAR NI has partnered with the charity for the past six years and is making it even easier to support the Great Daffodil Appeal with the return of their Buy a Bunch to Give a Bunch initiative in-store.

For every bunch of daffodils purchased in-store until 26^th March, 20p will be donated to Marie Curie and this year, £1 from the purchase of SPAR’s luxury Mother’s Day bouquets will also be donated to the charity. In addition to this, stores will also be holding in-store fundraisers and selling Marie Curie daffodil pins.

Daffodils in March are a timely reminder of what Marie Curie’s iconic floral symbol means to many who not only rely on the care provided by the charity, but to those who volunteer and work for Marie Curie too.

FUNDAMENTAL SUPPORT

Laura Thompson, Corporate Marketing Manager at Henderson Group which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland said: “We have been partnering with Marie Curie for the past six years and have raised over £714,000 for the charity, working alongside our generous shoppers and staff to raise this money, but also to raise awareness for the charity and the fantastic work they do. We will continue our support for Marie Curie to help improve end-of-life care in Northern Ireland.

“The Buy a Bunch to Give a Bunch initiative was created to show our appreciation to the Marie Curie nurses who provide unmatched compassion and care for those who need it most, while encouraging us to take a moment to remember those who have lost loved ones.”

Marie Curie provides vital end-of-life care to 2,500 people across Northern Ireland every year, in hospitals, hospices and patients’ homes. Anne Hannon, Marie Curie Partnership Manager, outlined how donations and support like this is fundamental to the charity.

‘Our work can only continue thanks to donations and partners like SPAR NI and the support of their staff, retailers and shoppers’

“A £20 donation pays for one hour of expert nursing care for someone living with terminal illness, in the comfort of their own home and to the patient, this care is priceless.

“Our work can only continue thanks to donations and partners like SPAR NI and the support of their staff, retailers and shoppers,” she added.

During the Great Daffodil Appeal on 23^rd March, Marie Curie is holding the third National Day of Reflection, marking it with a minute’s silence to encourage people to come together, take time to connect and remember loved ones, as well as showing support to those who are grieving.

DAFFODILS AND PINS

Trevor Neilly, a current patient at Marie Curie’s Belfast Hospice offered his support for the appeal as the Hospice marked the beginning of the Great Daffodil Appeal at the start of the month.

“Marie Curie really is such a worthwhile cause to support, I couldn’t recommend it more highly. It’s a service that you don’t really think about until you or someone in your family needs it.”

Trevor, who is 71 years old, lost his wife Margaret 10 years ago, just two weeks after her cancer diagnosis. Trevor has now been living with cancer for four years and has received respite care and pain management from the Marie Cure Hospice. He hopes to return home soon.

Daffodils and pins are available at SPAR NI now and Buy a Bunch to Give a Bunch runs until 26^th March.

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