Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal Kick Starts As Alexandra Burke Models Dress Of Over 900 Daffodils

Alexandra Burke has launched this year’s Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal by modelling a dress covered in hundreds of daffodils – encouraging people to donate and wear a daffodil to support the charity’s vital end-of-life care.

The unveiling of the dress, which took a week to make and incorporates over 900 daffodil pins, kickstarts Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign of the year that urges people to wear a daffodil pin throughout March – not only supporting the work of the charity in providing end of life care to people and their families, but as a symbol of reflection for the loved ones who have died.

People are still dying without the care and support they need, which can have a lasting impact on those left behind. Wearing a daffodil pin and taking part in the National Day of Reflection on 23 March is also a show of support for those who are grieving.

Singer, songwriter and actor, Alexandra Burke, commented: “My wonderful mum and I used to wear a yellow daffodil pin every year to support the incredible work of Marie Curie. The house would always be full of bunches of daffodils throughout springtime too. Since mum passed away five years ago the daffodil has become even more special and significant to me. Daffodils not only remind me of happy and fond memories of mum, but I find they can help to radiate a positive sign of reflection, despite grief never truly leaving us. I’m proud to be involved in this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal. I encourage anyone to donate and wear a daffodil pin this March to raise much needed funds for Marie Curie so they can provide even more end-of-life care to individuals and their families.”

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, said: “The start of the Great Daffodil Appeal is always an exciting time for everyone at Marie Curie as it sees thousands of our loyal volunteers taking to the streets and supermarkets in their yellow hats and talking to the public about the work we do. The money raised through the appeal is vital in ensuring our nurses, doctors, support line and hospice staff can continue the important work we do in helping people get the care and support they need at the end of life. Seeing people throughout March wearing their Marie Curie daffodil pin gives me a sense of pride and I would urge people to donate whatever they can, as it really will make a difference.”

Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal takes place throughout March and raises money to support people and their families at the end of life. For information and to donate visit: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil