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Marie Curie is one of the UK鈥檚 leading end of life charities, supporting people through all aspects of terminal illness, death and bereavement.

鈥淥ur nine Marie Curie Hospices, located across the UK, offer the reassurance of specialist nursing in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. We care for people living with any terminal illness, including advanced cancer, dementia, motor neurone disease, Parkinson鈥檚 and heart disease. Whether they鈥檙e staying in the hospice, coming in for the day or using one of our virtual services, we help ensure that they and their families feel safe, supported and cared for 鈥� at the time when they need us most.

Many people prefer to be cared for in the familiar surroundings of their own home. So, our community nursing service allows them to receive expert care, and emotional support for them and their families, in the place they feel most comfortable, day or night. And through our Bereavement Support service, we continue to be there after the death of a loved one, with specialist counselling available in person, by telephone and online.

Through our 75-year history we鈥檝e helped millions of people affected by terminal illness, but we know that today our help is more needed than ever. Research shows that thousands of people a year in the UK die without the care and support they need. With your help we can continue our work to change that. We want to ensure everyone has the best possible experience at the end of their life.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 honoured to support this appeal for Marie Curie - one of the UK's leading end of life charities. Day and night, Marie Curie is there in the hardest times; for those who are terminally ill, their family and friends, and those that are grieving.

Finding out that you or a loved one is terminally ill is so hard. My wonderful husband Andy was diagnosed with incurable cancer six years ago. He died eight months later. Saying goodbye and carrying on without him has been incredibly difficult. So, I know how important this amazing charity鈥檚 work is.

Like me, Marie Curie believes everyone should have the best possible experience at the end of their life and that no one should have to grieve alone.聽With your help more people will get specialist nursing care, more families will be supported and more grieving people will receive expert bereavement counselling. Thank you.鈥�

Within an hour of arriving at the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool, John and his wife Ros knew they were somewhere special. Ros 鈥� a headteacher - was referred to Marie Curie in September 2022, aged 43, after being diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. 鈥淲e were swamped with attention, people offering cups of tea, checking Ros鈥檚 pain and medication,鈥� John recalls. 鈥淭hey couldn't have done more. We were amazed by the staff; how hard they work.鈥�

Ros died in October 2022. Her final days were spent in the hospice with John, 43, their daughter Maggie, 6, and many visiting friends and family members. 鈥淚t was a place full of love,鈥� he says.聽Both John and Maggie now have weekly bereavement counselling at the hospice; a huge support as they grieve, says John. 鈥淢aggie bounds in. It鈥檚 helped tremendously.鈥� Every day, Maggie wears a Marie Curie daffodil to school. As John says: 鈥淢arie Curie is part of our life story.鈥�

When Jonathan鈥檚 beloved grandmother Hazel died from dementia in December 2020, aged 93, he found himself struggling with profound grief. He had lost his, 鈥渟econd mum, a very special woman, who just loved me to my core鈥�. Having been Hazel鈥檚 carer for five years, alongside his cousin, Jonathan was also mourning a role that had become part of his identity.

He turned to Marie Curie鈥檚 Bereavement Support service, finding the weekly telephone sessions a real turning point in navigating his loss. 鈥淚t was so good to share my experience with someone outside my family, who鈥檇 been around these situations, who could give the new perspective I needed,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 could talk about being Nan鈥檚 carer, my grief, returning to everyday life.鈥澛燗fter six sessions, Jonathan realised he was finding it easier to cope. "Grief is personal. The counselling helped me understand the importance of voicing my feelings. I鈥檓 so grateful to Marie Curie.鈥�

Andy, 59, is living with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and has been receiving care and support from Marie Curie since July 2022. As well as clinical care and group wellbeing sessions at the Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford, he has appointments at home with the charity鈥檚 occupational therapists and physiotherapists. They are helping make practical home adaptations to suit his developing needs.聽He also has visits from a Marie Curie Helper volunteer, who supports with anything from a chat over a cup of tea, to getting out and about.

鈥淢arie Curie means the world to me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a truly holistic approach. They鈥檙e helping me to have a better quality of life all round.鈥澛燭his support has given Andy a new sense of routine and built his confidence as he manages his symptoms; things he鈥檇 missed since having to retire from his work as a GP in 2014. He鈥檚 enjoying opportunities to meet people and try new activities. 鈥淚t has opened my eyes to what I can still do and how supportive people can be.鈥�