Homebase corporate news 2007

Daffodil sales make fundraising total bloom

13 June 2007

Green fingered customers at home enhancement retailer Homebase have helped raise over £8,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care through the sale of potted Tete a Tete daffodils during January, February and March – helping to provide 400 hours of nursing.

The money raised from the sale of these early spring flowering dwarf daffodils, which produce clusters of miniature yellow trumpet shaped flowers on mid-green stalks, has pushed the organisation’s fundraising over its two year target of £500,000 in just nine months.

Celine Gomez, Marie Curie Cancer Care corporate development executive, said the daffodil is a really powerful emblem for cancer care: “Raising money through the sale of these cheerful flowers is fantastic, especially as it means we have reached our two year target so quickly. We now hope the partnership we have with Homebase and the Irish Cancer Society will raise £1 million by the end of our two year partnership in August 2008.”

Marie Curie Cancer Care adopted the daffodil emblem in 1986. The daffodil is also the emblem of leading cancer charities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland. The flower is universally recognised as a symbol of renewal and optimism – symbolising the promise of spring after the long, dark days of winter. Many people liken the flower to Marie Curie Nurses who offer care and support to people at what can be a very stressful and difficult time in their lives.

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