Barbara joined Marie Curie nurses, Leonie Christian and Elisabeth Goze and actress and presenter Linda Robson at a parliamentary event in Westminster to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.

Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness. Barbara has pledged her support for the appeal and is encouraging local people to help the charity raise money by giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, available from volunteers across the country, along with Superdrug, WH Smiths shops, and Wyevale garden centres, throughout March.

Barbara said:

“I was pleased to help launch the 30th anniversary of Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. It was good to meet Marie Curie nurses Leonie and Elisabeth who provide vital end of life care and support and also Linda Robson who was at the event to help launch the appeal.

“Everyone has the right to good end of life care when they need it whether that is at home, at hospital or in a hospice. Marie Curie and local hospices like St Ann’s Hospice in Little Hulton help to provide good end of life care for local people. Unfortunately access to high quality care remains patchy. Each year around one in four people who need palliative care are missing out.

“Marie Curie’s services rely on charitable donations and the money raised by everyone who gives a donation and wears a daffodil pin during March will help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones at home and in one of the charity’s nine hospices.

“I will be showing my support for Marie Curie in March by wearing a daffodil pin and as the Shadow Minister for Older People, Social Care and Carers I will continue to campaign for improvements to end of life care.”