SPRING came early for a group of charity volunteers as they helped launch a fundraising appeal.

Members of the Darlington branch of Marie Curie Cancer Care gathered at the Brick Train landmark, in Darlington, on Monday (February 3), for the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Similar events will be held at other locations around the region, including the Stadium of Light and Angel of the North.

Lucy King, a community fundraiser for Marie Curie, said appeals such as this were ‘extremely important’ to the charity’s finances.

She said: “The more we manage to raise during the Great Daffodil Appeal, the more nursing hours we can provide.

“The appeal also helps to keep our hospices running.”

Fundraiser Charlotte Flowers added: “We need as many people as possible to help with our collections this March.

“Donating just one or two hours of your time to the appeal will allow Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care to terminally ill people and their families at the time when they most need support.”

Members of the Darlington branch will hold fundraising events throughout February and March.

The first will be three days of fundraising at the Asda store, in Whinfield Road, on February 28, March 1 and March 2.

For more information, call Miss King on 0191-219-1243, follow @MarieCurieNE on Twitter or visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil