Marie Curie is calling on people across Dorset to give up just a couple of hours of their time to volunteer for a Christmas charity collection.  

The end-of-life charity is encouraging both new and existing supporters to harness the Christmas spirit and take to their local high street or shopping centre and raise much needed funds to support families across Dorset who may be facing their last Christmas together.

Marie Curie is dependent on public donations so that its nurses can continue providing vital care for people at the end of life across Dorset.

Donations also support the Marie Curie Information and Support line, which provides free advice on all aspects of death, dying and bereavement.

After receiving support during the death of her dad, Amanda Michalia was inspired to volunteer her time to help others at the end of life.

In 2016 she began collecting for Marie Curie in memory of someone she had supported through the Marie Curie helper volunteer service.

Amanda said: "My father died in 2008, I wanted to give back to a charity that provides support to families, the way my mother and siblings were supported when dad was dying at home.

"I signed up as a helper volunteer for Marie Curie where I was partnered with a lovely woman called Sandy and, after her death, I signed up for a collection where I wore some very sparkly shoes.

"Sandy had been on a holiday a few months before she died and sent me a photo of some shiny shoes, she had bought herself. I thought it was the perfect way to pay tribute to her sparkling personality.

"Since then, I have been involved with as many collections as possible. It's my way to contribute back and I hope someone else would have the similar support that we had at home as a family.

"The perfect way to pay tribute to both my dad and Sandy was with a couple of hours collecting in my local area."

Kara Frampton, Marie Curie community fundraiser for Dorset, said: "Sadly, we know many people across Dorset will be facing their last Christmas with a loved one this year. The money raised from collections helps us to ensure these people have their very best last Christmas.

"Collecting can be a fun and rewarding experience, with many volunteers continuing to do it yearly.

"Collections are crucial to Marie Curie, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to sign up this year.

"Christmas can be a very difficult time for those who are bereaved, living with a terminal illness, or caring for a loved one at the end of life and by signing up for just two hours of collecting, you will be enabling us to be there for everyone who needs us."

For more information on volunteer shifts available in Dorset, visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or contact Dorset's Marie Curie community fundraiser, Kara Frampton, on [email protected]