Jackie Baillie MSP lent her support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at an event at the Scottish Parliament recently.

Meeting with staff, Ms Baillie heard about the care and support that is provided to people living with terminal illness, their families and carers across Scotland, especially throughout Covid-19.

The leading end of life charity cared for over 9,000 terminally ill people across Scotland at home and at its two Scottish hospices during 2020/21 – its highest number of patients on record since Marie Curie was established in 1948.

In 2020/21, around 1,255 people across West Dunbartonshire died with approximately 1,230 having a palliative care need.

Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service made 117 visits to support terminally ill people in their own homes across West Dunbartonshire, living with conditions including respiratory diseases, cancer, heart conditions and dementia.

Supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal, which started in 1986, by donating and wearing a daffodil pin in March helps Marie Curie to continue providing vital palliative and end of life care and support.

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “It is a pleasure to support Marie Curie – an extremely worthwhile and hard-working charity. We must support hospice staff to ensure they can continue providing world-class care to those with terminal illness, many of whom we have sadly lost throughout the pandemic.

“They have been under more pressure now than in any other time in their 70-year history. During the last two years, when family members couldn’t be with their loved ones, Marie Curie was there.

“As the need for palliative care increases, it is crucial that we support hospices to deliver this work and I give my full support to Marie Curie and other hospices in the area like St.Margaret’s in Clydebank.”

Ellie Wagstaff, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Marie Curie, said: “Thank you to Jackie for her continued support. With each daffodil worn, there is a personal story, and by donating and wearing your own daffodil, it allows us to continue being there for people affected by dying, death and bereavement across Scotland when they need support the most.

“As a result of the pandemic, where hospital admissions for non-Covid patients were reduced, there has been a 40 percent increase in deaths at home in Scotland, and Marie Curie’s Community Nursing Service experienced almost a 15 percent uplift in demand during 2020-21 as it continued supporting terminally ill people at home.

“Our services in Scotland cost £250,000 per week to deliver, and we need people to support us to enable us to continue delivering this care and support both now and in the future.”

To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil