BARRY residents have been urged to host their own fundraising tea party's after Marie Curie officially launched their Blooming Great Tea Party Campaign last week.

With the campaign officially kicking off last Friday, June 20, and running until Tuesday, June 29, Jenny Young from St Athan Golf Club explains why she got inspired to support Marie Curie by holding her own tea party.

"Having volunteered as a reflexologist at the Cardiff and Vale Hospice I experienced the wonderful and truly inspiring work Marie Curie do, not only patients with terminal illness but also the emotional support they provide for the families, it was the relatives of the patients that I used to provide Reflexology sessions to.

"Unfortunately due to illness I was unable to continue in my role, but when I became the Ladies Captain of St Athan Golf club I decided to make Marie Curie my nominated charity. Last autumn the ladies planted more than 1000 daffodil bulbs on the road leading to the club which made an amazing display of colour leaving no one in doubt as to what the Ladies Charity is this year."

She added: "On June 14, in brilliant sunshine, St Athan Golf Club Ladies Section held a golf tea party." From first thing in the morning 70 ladies from clubs all over the area took part in a nine hole stableford competition followed by tea and cakes in the club house.

"After playing, the ladies were able relax with lunch and support the various fund raising stalls selling fashionable golf wear and jewellery, cakes and bottle stalls as well as a silent auction and a huge selection of raffle prizes.

"At the end of a very successful day which raised over £1000 for Marie Curie, I presented the tea party themed prizes to the lucky winners.

"I'd like to wish all the tea party hosts good luck and hope they have as much fun raising lots of money for such a worthwhile cause as we all had."

All the money raised from the tea party will help Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and in the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale. It’s not too late to sign up to hold your own tea party.

For more information and to get your free Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising pack, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 08700 340 040.

To get help from the Marie Curie Nursing Service, talk to your GP, district nurse or discharge nurse. For more information, please visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk.