COVID won’t wilt Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal
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A group of Aberdeenshire women are coming together to share recipes for a good cause.
Members of the Marie Curie Garioch Fundraising Group have spent lockdown rifling through family recipes to bake with grandchildren and to cheer up neighbours.
Their pastime has now developed into a fundraiser for the end of life charity, with all money raised going towards supporting patients with terminal illnesses and their families.
Member Moira Petrie, who is responsible for the initiative, said: “One of the highlights of our year is our Great Daffodil Appeal and we know that people have come to look forward to seeing the bright yellow daffodil pins and tins every March.
"With lockdown meaning we can’t get out to the community to collect this year, we decided to look for different ways to fundraise.
“The idea stemmed from a family WhatsApp group where my daughters were asking for recipe inspiration having exhausted their favourites in lockdown.
"It has prompted all of us to look out our favourite recipes, some which have been handed down through families, and share them with the wider community in return for a small donation.
"We are sure people will enjoy making – and eating - these as much as we have.”
Marie Curie has taken difficult decision to cancel public collections for its Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity’s flagship fundraiser now in its 35th year, due to safety considerations around the ongoing pandemic.
With a potential loss of over £3million as a result, Marie Curie is encouraging communities to support the cause in a variety of creative ways and ensure that the appeal maintains its profile.
Community fundraiser Abigail Westwood Patterson said: “The last 12 months have been extremely difficult, with key fundraising events cancelled.
"All donations from the Great Daffodil Appeal will ensure that Marie Curie nurses, doctors and hospice staff can continue working on the frontline providing end of life care in people’s homes throughout the area.
"Last year, the charity saw a 16.5 percent rise in the number of people cared for compared to 2019, while our support line saw a 20 percent increase in calls.
“Our fundraising groups have gone above and beyond, with our Grampian groups reaching an incredible milestone of having raised £500,000 since they were established.
"Garioch’s recipe event will generate much needed income at this difficult time.”
The Marie Curie Garioch Fundraising Group was established in 2012 and three of the founding members continue their involvement alongside new members from across Garioch.
The group meets regularly to plan various activities including collection days and events which have previously included a fashion show.
Since forming, the group has raised over £77,000 for Marie Curie and helped ensure people locally know about the services available.
The recipes will be themed and can be accessed by visiting the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GariochMarieCurie.
To make a donation, you can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GariochRecipes.
