Library of Birmingham Shines Yellow for Marie Curie's Milestone Fundraiser
On Tuesday, 10th February, the iconic Library of Birmingham was bathed in a vibrant yellow glow, marking a significant moment for the UK's leading end-of-life charity, Marie Curie. This illumination celebrated the 40th anniversary of the charity's flagship fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal, which runs throughout March.
Encouraging Community Involvement and Support
The Great Daffodil Appeal urges individuals to wear a daffodil pin and donate, with funds directly supporting Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals. These dedicated teams provide expert end-of-life care in homes, hospitals, and hospices across the UK, including a facility on March Lane in Solihull. Joining other landmarks like Bradford City Hall and Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the Library of Birmingham's yellow lighting serves as a beacon, inspiring people in Birmingham and beyond to 'Go Yellow' by hosting their own themed fundraisers.
Creative fundraising ideas include wearing yellow attire, organising yellow-themed bake sales, quiz nights, or crafting and selling yellow gifts. Marie Curie simplifies the process by offering comprehensive support materials, such as step-by-step guides, cake flags, recipes, selfie props, invitations, and fundraising in-memory cards.
Local Voices and Celebrity Endorsement
Annie Wade, a Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant based in Birmingham, highlighted the community's role in this initiative. Additionally, Birmingham-born soul singer Jaki Graham, a Marie Curie supporter since 2019 and recent Celebrity MasterChef contestant, voiced her enthusiasm. "I'm a huge supporter of the charity and the incredible work they do to help families through terminal illness," she said. "It was fantastic to see the library in my hometown lit up yellow for such a fantastic cause. I'd love to see as many local people as possible going yellow to get involved with this year's fundraising campaign."
Impact and Additional Ways to Contribute
Funds raised from the Appeal, which involves volunteer collections in high streets and supermarkets, also sustain Marie Curie's free national Information and Support Line. This service offers practical and emotional assistance on topics like symptom management, care navigation, financial advice, and bereavement support for those facing terminal illnesses and their loved ones.
Ben Thomas, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser in Birmingham, emphasised the importance of community participation: "As this year marks 40 years of The Great Daffodil Appeal, we wanted to do something bright and bold to celebrate! That's why we turned The Library of Birmingham yellow like our famous daffodil. We're hoping local people will also 'Go Yellow' and show support by hosting their own fundraisers. Whether it's at work, school or with friends, every penny helps Marie Curie Nurses and Healthcare Assistants continue to provide expert care and support."
In the West Midlands, residents can further engage by volunteering to collect donations at the Solihull Morrisons store or participating in in-store fundraising activities from 23rd February to 8th March, as Marie Curie is the official charity partner of Morrisons.
