A South Gloucestershire woman is encouraging more people to get involved with Marie Curie in the area.

It was shortly after Jane Marshall’s mum was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2014 that she decided to start supporting the charity.

At over eight months pregnant Jane headed out to take part in her first collection for the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Six years on Jane, from Stoke Gifford, is chair of the Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group, and volunteering has become a family affair with her husband and daughters Poppy, Daisy and Olivia often helping with charity collections and events.

Jane has worked tirelessly to help ensure that the charity continues its fantastic work in the region, but now she is encouraging more people to come out to support it this March.

“Mum was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in January 2014,” Jane explained.

“She first had breast cancer in 1997 and again in 2006, both times it was treated, and she was given the all clear, but in 2014 it had spread to the lungs by the time it was discovered.

“It may have been a moment of madness to start volunteering at just over eight months pregnant, but I suddenly felt compelled to support a charity that helps people with terminal illnesses.

“I started because of mum, and I continue in her memory.

“When you collect for Marie Curie in public, at a supermarket or street collection, people often share stories with you about how Marie Curie cared for one of their loved ones. I have heard of the professionalism and expertise of the teams, 3am cups of tea and how the comfort the nurses bring not only to the patient but to their family means everything at such a difficult time.”

Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal is now officially underway, however, the fundraising team in Bristol and the surrounding areas are urgently calling for extra volunteers to lend a couple of hours to help them with supermarket collections due to take place throughout March.

To help support the appeal or volunteer you can get in touch at mariecurie.org.uk