A ten-year-old child from Co Down is encouraging people to donate to the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal after they cared for her grandfather.
Emily McCooey from Loughbrickland has been fundraising for the charity since she was just a few months old.
Since then she has volunteered every year during GDA and volunteered at many events including Twilight Walk and cheering runners on at Belfast Marathon.
Read more: Royal Victoria Hospital Helipad team raising funds for Air Ambulance NI
Last year Emily was named Young Fundraiser of the Year by the charity after raising more than £4,500 through the daffodil appeal, a lemonade stand and participating in the Twilight Walk.
She also donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children with cancer.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Emily said that she wants to raise as much money as possible for Marie Curie because they looked after her granda.
"My friends have wished me good luck and sometimes they come when I am raising money," she said.
"I am looking forward to getting out and selling more daffodils to raise more money."
Emily's dad Lorcan said that she has been in inspiration for the family.
"She donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for cancer patients but she also raised money while she was doing it.
"She loves helping out and getting involved with the Daffodil Appeal.
"My sister works for Marie Curie so she has always been helping out with fundraising. When my dad went into the hospice over lockdown, it helped her understand why he was there and the work that they are doing.
"This has made her more determined to raise more money for the charity and we have to come up with a few ideas for this year," he added.
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.
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 March, 20p will be donated to Marie Curie. In addition to this, stores will also be holding in-store fundraisers and selling Marie Curie daffodil pins.
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.
“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," she said.
“The Great Daffodil Appeal is a timely reminder of the change of seasons and encourages us to take a moment and remember those we have lost over the years.
"Not only are we encouraging support of the campaign throughout March, but we also want you to wear your daffodil throughout the month of March to help us spread awareness of the Appeal and what our organisation does to help those in our community.
"Our work can only continue thanks to donations and partners like SPAR NI and the support of their staff, retailers and shoppers.”
During the Great Daffodil Appeal, on March 23, 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.
READ NEXT:
Museum workers strike to close NI museum on St Patrick's Day
NI woman's sexual harassment case ends in nearly £19k tribunal award
Watchdog raises concerns after death of inmate who had issues including ADHD
NI woman's memory lives on in fund helping refugees at Belfast school
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
