THE face of Bolton’s Marie Curie Nurses Appeal, Sue Irwin, is today urging people to get behind the campaign.

She is one of 21 nurses who care for terminally ill people in Bolton, enabling them to die at home.

The Bolton News has joined forces with Marie Curie Cancer Care in a bid to raise £200,000 over the next year, which will mean the charity will be able to reach more people in the town.

Mrs Irwin says the care the nurses give is vital to give people the choice to die at home and help their carers at a difficult time.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Bolton, said: “We are now listening to people’s wishes about where they want to spend the last precious days, weeks or months of their lives.

“It’s a place everyone has and can relate to — home — and the majority of people would choose this.

“It’s where people feel safest, can maintain control, have their loved ones, familiar comforts and most of all their memories.

“Our main focus is the patient, ensuring they reach and maintain maximum comfort physically and emotionally, but the family and carers also require a lot of support at a really traumatic time in their lives.

“Without nurses like myself and my colleagues, and other services, so many people would die in other places.”

NHS Bolton has provided £200,000 of funding to Marie Curie in Bolton for the next year, which it wants to match to enable it to lead the way in the charity’s pledge to double the number of nursing hours it provides by 2013.

People are being urged to make a donation by visiting theboltonnews.co.uk/mariecurie.

They can also arrange a Blooming Great Tea Party this month to raise money for the appeal by contacting 08700 340 040 or visiting mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty.

Let us know about your event on 01204 537203 and we will cover as many as possible.

To find out more contact 0161 255 2809 or 07798 638127.