02 Welcome


Marie Curie People


Chief Executive’s view It’s time to get behind the Great Daffodil Appeal


With spring just around the corner, we’re gearing up for this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal, with more ways to get involved than ever before. There’s still time to volunteer to take part in a collection in your area or sign up for one of our new fundraising ideas. Step into Spring challenges you to walk 10,000 steps every day in March, while Let’s Go Yellow asks people to dress in their best yellow outfits for the day. Every donation and hour spent


collecting or taking part in a fundraising event makes such a difference to the people we support. On page 14, you can read some of the stories behind the daffodils which make up this year’s campaign.


Also in this issue, we’re featuring the


Peacock Awards and Marie Curie’s first ever People Awards, which celebrate the achievements of colleagues and


volunteers from across the charity. I attended both awards ceremonies and was extremely impressed by the commitment, talent and teamwork shown by the winners and nominees. Last month I took part


in my first Facebook Live event, when I was invited by publishers HarperCollins to interview Kathryn Mannix about her new book, With the End in Mind. It was an exciting way to engage our supporters on Facebook, while encouraging them to talk more openly about death and dying, which we know can be a challenge. Our information and support team were also able to respond in real-time to comments during and after the event making it a real team effort. Finally, I would like to extend a warm


welcome to our new Chairman Vindi Banga,


who started in January. Vindi brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of business, education and philanthropy. He is a partner at private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice and holds senior positions on the boards of GlaxoSmithKline and


Marks & Spencer. He is also Chair of the Karta Initiative, which improves access to education for children in developing countries. Please join me in welcoming him to Marie Curie.


Dr Jane Collins Chief Executive


Get in touch with Jane at jane.collins@mariecurie.org.uk


People Marie Curie


Marie Curie People is the charity’s official magazine for staff and volunteers. It is published bi-monthly.


Writers: May-Fern Lee, Genevieve Lowles, Rosie Maynard, Eleanor Newland, Anna Pietrowski, Daisy Baldwin, Miriam Jones Designers: Artful Dog Publishing and Marie Curie Design team Repro by: Selsey Press Printed by: Mortons Managed & distributed by: CDL Circulation: 6,500 Cover: Ben Gold/Marie Curie


In this issue:


5 In print Book by former Newcastle hospice consultant explores the idea of a ‘good death’


7 At a glance Facts and figures about our fantastic corporate partners


10 Feedback matters How Marie Curie encourages patients and families to share their views


14 COVER: Making it count Meet some of the people behind this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal


Marie Curie People needs your news


Contact the team at MCPeditorial@mariecurie.org.uk to share your stories. To manage your subscription to Marie Curie People, please email internal.communications@mariecurie.org.uk


17 Knowledge gap How research can improve care and support for LGBT people


19 Belfast stars Maintenance team saves money on hospice renovations


Pete Jones/Marie Curie


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