Cumnock’s MP Allan Dorans and broadcaster Anneka Rice have joined forces to help Marie Curie provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness.

Mr Doran and charity ambassador Ms Rice were pictured together with Marie Curie rapid response healthcare assistant, Lukmon Adeyemi, at the Westminster launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, held every March.

The SNP MP pledged his support to the appeal and is encouraging people living in the Cumnock area to donate and wear one of the charity’s daffodil pins to help fund vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

Mr Dorans MP said: “Every five minutes, someone in the UK dies without getting the care and support they need at the end of their life and that is why I am supporting this appeal. Without your help, Marie Curie nurses can’t give vital care to people living with a terminal illness and their families.”

Launched in 1986, the appeal is crucial in raising much-needed funds to enable the charity to continue providing nursing and hospice care, a freephone support line and information for people living with any terminal illness.

Ms Rice said: “I was thrown into a world of utter confusion and sadness when I had to care for two elderly parents, living separately but both with dementia. At the time I didn’t know who to reach out to as I knew nothing at all about the illness. I now wish I’d known about the organisations that exist to help.”

Scott Sinclair, head of policy at Marie Curie, added: “Having the support of Allan Dorans MP and Anneka makes a huge difference to our Great Daffodil Appeal.”