The Great Daffodil Appeal

On January 11, 2023 we received an email from, Mark Chambers soliciting our support for Marie Curie Daffodil Day.  Mark is Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower but this is a personal crusade of his which we have supported in previous years.

“As you will recall, for the last two years I have arranged a collection outside the car park entrance to Waitrose for the Marie Curie Daffodil Day”, he wrote. “I am doing this again on Saturday 9th March. It is a cause I have assisted over many years. “

“... I am asking members of the three Billericay Rotary clubs and a few other people besides to support this. I have successfully filled the schedule for the day on both previous occasions as it is a charity that strikes a chord with many. I hope that your members will be willing to take part.”

Signed Up to Help

Needless to say, six of our members were available.  At the start of the day. a box of collecting trays containing daffodil badges, 5 collecting boxes and a couple of daffodil hats for those who might choose to wear them. was brought to Waitrose, ready for an 08.00 start.  Bring your club tabards was the request. 

Ben Clarke was on duty from 09.00, and Margaret Fowler, Keith Wood and Gillian, Peter Greene and Les Sheppard helped out during the day for one or two hour stints.  

“I arrived just before 11.00 on the Saturday in brilliant sunshine and uncharacteristically warm weather”, said Peter Greene.  “Margaret had just finished and Keith and Gillian were already on duty in their tabards with trays of daffodil badges and collection tins, so I swiftly put on my tabard and loaded up with a tray of badges and a collecting tin.  There were two (VERY) yellow hats which Gillian and I put on as well, to attract passers-by.”

People were generous with a majority stopping to drop coins in the collection tins, and some even giving £5 or £10 notes.  Collecting is problematic these days as increasing numbers of people don’t carry any coins with them since Covid.  (Note to Marie Curie - even more would be collected if it would supply us with credit card readers).

Total Collected - £719!!