Iconic West Midlands landmark goes yellow for Marie Curie

The appeal encourages everyone to wear a daffodil pin and donate to Marie Curie throughout the month of March. The annual event helps raise much needed funds so that Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert end of life care and support in homes, hospitals and at its hospices across the UK. 

Several buildings across the UK have been lit up yellow this month, including Bradford City Hall and Gateshead Millenium Bridge. Now, Marie Curie is calling on people in Birmingham and beyond to ‘Go Yellow’ like the landmarks and host their own yellow themed fundraisers in support of the Appeal. 

Example ‘Go Yellow’ fundraisers include wearing yellow, holding a yellow-themed bake sale, hosting a yellow-themed quiz night or crafting and selling yellow gifts. Marie Curie also encourages people to come up with their own fundraising ideas. To make hosting an event as easy as possible, the charity will provide everything needed - from step-by-step guides to cake flags and recipes, yellow-themed selfie props, invitations, fundraising in-memory cards, and more. 

Birmingham born soul singer and recent Celebrity MasterChef contestant, Jaki Graham, who is also celebrating 40 years since the release of her iconic album, Breaking Away, this year, has been a Marie Curie supporter since 2019. She’s encouraging local people to take part in this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal and says: “I’m a huge supporter of the charity and the incredible work they do to help families through terminal illness. 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.”  

Money raised from The Great Daffodil Appeal, which will see volunteers collecting across high streets and supermarkets in addition to holding ‘Go Yellow’ fundraisers, also goes towards running Marie Curie’s free national Information and Support Line - available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from managing symptoms and navigating care to financial information, including how to get help with energy bills, and bereavement support. 

Ben Thomas, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser in Birmingham, said: “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 for people living with a terminal illness and those closest to them. 

“There's only one chance to give someone the best end of life. Going yellow for the Great Daffodil Appeal is an easy and fun way to join in, give back to our local community and help make a lasting difference - both here in Birmingham and across the UK.”  

As Marie Curie is the official charity partner of Morrisons, another way that people in the West Midlands can get involved is by signing up to collect at the Solihull Morrisons store or by getting involved in some in-store fundraising activities from 23rd February until 8th March. 

To find out more about how you can help give people the expert care they need this March visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/goyellow or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Ben Thomas: Ben.Thomas@mariecurie.org.uk