AN elected representative is calling on people to support a fundraising appeal.

Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies is asking residents in the region to host their own Daffodil Day as leading end of life charity Marie Curie launches its biggest annual fundraising appeal.

The charity is also calling on volunteers to give just two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in return for donations. 

Mr Davies joined Marie Curie’s nurses and policy and public affairs team at an event to hear about the charity’s work to improve the availability of palliative care overnight and at weekends (or ‘out of hours’).

According to their latest research, people in their last year of life make 30,000 ‘out-of-hours' emergency visits to A&E each year in Wales.

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Women aged under 65 who live in more deprived areas of Wales are the most likely to need emergency out-of-hours visit to A&E in their last year of life.

But access to good quality palliative and end of life care in the community can support dying people to stay out of hospital and remain at home, if that’s where they want to be. 

Marie Curie is calling for: 

• A 24/7 telephone line accessible within each health board in Wales to ensure palliative care services have a single point of access for dying people and their carers, no matter the day or time.

• A long-term action plan led by Welsh Government to improve end of life care.

• The Welsh Government to tackle the deep inequalities facing women in palliative and end of life care by prioritising it as an action in the forthcoming 10-year Women and Girl’s Health plan.

The charity is also encouraging people to get involved in the National Day of Reflection, which will take place during the Great Daffodil Appeal on March 23.

People across Wales are being asked to wear their daffodil pin and create their own ‘Walls of Reflection’ by contributing memories of loved ones who’ve died.

Mr Davies said: “The work Marie Curie do is needed now more than ever.

"That is why I’m encouraging people across the Vale of Clwyd to show their support for the Great Daffodil Appeal in any way they can by hosting a Daffodil Day.

"Every donation means that when the time comes, Marie Curie can be there for people and their loved ones when they need it most, and continue to campaign for a better end of life for all.

“I’ll be wearing my daffodil on the National Day of Reflection to connect with all those bereaved. I hope my constituents will be able to create their own Walls of Reflection to remember those people they’ve loved and lost.” 

To sign up to the National Day of Reflection visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection