BARRY based television presenter Llinos Lee took to Cardiff’s streets on St David’s Day to help raise funds for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal.

The S4C presenter was one of a host of volunteers to take part in collections during the National St David’s Day Parade celebrations taking place in the Welsh capital – turning Cardiff yellow with a sea of daffodils.

Llinos, known for Welsh language shows such as Heno and Dal Ati: Bore Da, has a strong connection to Marie Curie as the charity’s nurses cared for a number of her friends and family.

Llinos signed up for a Great Daffodil Appeal street collection to help fund the charity’s work supporting people living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, across Wales.

She said the charity was close to her heart.

“My best friend’s mum sadly died of cancer and my friend was her sole carer,” she said. “Marie Curie offered her respite care at the Cardiff & The Vale hospice, which was just amazing. Another family friend was also cared for at the hospice.

“Just before Christmas my father’s brother was cared for at the hospice and he had the most amazing care. The staff there are fantastic. It’s not just the focus on the patients, but also the support they provide for the families, too. They help you to come to terms with everything.

“Marie Curie has done so much for my family and my close friends and I am so grateful for what they have done. Holding a collection as part of the Great Daffodil Appeal on St David’s Day was something I wanted to be a part of so I could give something back.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere in the city centre, thousands of people lined the streets to watch the parade and to celebrate St David's Day. I was so pleased to return a full tin of money to the organisers at the end of the day and was touched by the generosity of the people of Cardiff. I had a great time and I am already looking forward to next year’s appeal.”

Sara Bass, fundraising manager for Marie Curie in Wales, said the charity was grateful for the support given by every volunteer and without them it could not provide care and support to people in Wales who need it the most.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is the flagship fundraising campaign for Marie Curie.

More than 1,000 volunteers signed up to hold collections, raising more than £308,000 to help fund the charity’s work supporting around 2,280 people, and their families across Wales, last year.

To sign up as a Great Daffodil Appeal volunteer, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil