A SMALL bunch of supporters is needed by a cancer charity in the South Lakeland area to help its annual appeal bloom.

Marie Curie Cancer Care will launch its annual Great Daffodil Appeal in Cumbria in March.

The appeal - which includes numerous street and supermarket collections and more than a 1,000 boxes being placed in shops and businesses in the county raises more than £40,000.

All the money raised in Cumbria and North Lancashire will remain in the area and be spent on providing free nursing care for terminally ill cancer patients who have chosen to spend their final days in the comfort of their own home.

To ensure its success in South Lakeland, volunteers who are able to place the boxes of daffodils are desperately needed.

Zoe Casson, community fundraising manager for the charity, said: "Numerous shops and businesses in South Lakeland have already agreed to take a box during the campaign. All we need now is for people to place the boxes during the last two weeks of February then collect them in at the beginning of April and bank the money.

"It is essential we recruit people in South Lakeland as the success of the campaign depends on the help we receive from our volunteers."

Volunteers are needed to place seven boxes in Coniston, five in Hawkshead and four in Appleby.

The charity would also like to hear from people in the area who are willing to help at supermarket and street collections during February and March.

Ms Casson said: "By helping for two hours at a collection, people raise enough money to provide a whole night of care for someone in the area."

For more information in the appeal contact Zoe Casson on 01229-822003.