A FUNDRAISING stalwart is determined to do her bit for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal – despite being forced to shield at the ripe old age of 92.
Irene Grice already holds down two jobs and is usually seen selling daffodil pins during the charity’s annual appeal – however this year her fundraising efforts have gone online with a little help from her work colleagues at Morrisons.
Irene can normally be seen packing, labelling and putting the bakery goods out on display, but due to the pandemic she has been shielding.
Not only that but the great-grandmother also works as a cleaner at Solihull Council – but again is unable to do this as she is shielding.
However instead of putting her feet up Irene has turned her attention to helping Marie Curie, a charity she has supported for 38 years.
The Solihull resident was diagnosed with skin cancer when she was recovering from a hip replacement in 2017.
She had to undergo two operations, one at Solihull Hospital and one at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and a number of tests.
Since 1983 Irene has been fundraising for the Marie Curie daffodil collection in memory of family members who have died of cancer, and to honour all those who work at the charity.
She’s even teamed up with colleagues to create a video and a Just Giving page to raise funds for the charity raising £1,400 in just under two weeks.
Proud son David said: “Mum is always on the go, she’s always been active.
“She has been a volunteer for Marie Curie for 38 years and is always active in the annual Great Daffodil Appeal and she still wanted to do her bit despite the pandemic as they helped us when we needed them.”
Irene has received both of her Covid vaccinations and is hoping to return to her two jobs soon.
Amy McNaughton-Brown fund raising engagement lead at Solihull’s Marie Curie hospice said: “Irene has been a wonderful longstanding supporter of Marie Curie, having collected for the Great Daffodil Appeal for many years.
“Even the pandemic didn’t stop her from fundraising – last year she took on the challenge of walking 100 laps around the Morrison’s store where she works all to raise money for her local hospice.
“We are so lucky to have people like Irene supporting us and would like to say a huge thank you to her and all of the staff and customers at Morrisons for the money they have raised for Marie Curi.”
For more or to donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/irenes-mariecurie-fundraising .
