THE UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, is calling on locals in Devon to organise a golf day fundraiser with friends and family to help support people living with a terminal illness.

Supporters can choose to hold a golf-athon-style challenge by playing a number of holes or getting sponsored to play for a number of hours of their choice.

Every person that signs up will receive a free Marie Curie golf marker and everything needed to make their fundraiser a hole in one, including a step-by-step golf guide, golf fundraising tips, invitations, posters, social media graphics, bunting and more.

Marie Curie is dependent on fundraising and public donations so that its Nurses and healthcare professionals can continue to provide expert hospice care, whatever the illness, in the comfort of home and at its hospice in Mount Gould Hospital, Plymouth.

Money raised also funds the charity’s free Support Line and webchat, which is available to anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.

Marie Curie works across the UK to support people with any illness they are likely to die from - including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer - and provides support for their family and friends.

In Devon, Marie Curie provides Hospice Care at Home, an overnight service delivering expert care from 10pm to 7am with support from skilled healthcare assistants.

Last year, approximately 964 people were cared for through this service across Devon, including approximately 433 people in Plymouth.

This allows people living with a terminal illness to receive responsive, compassionate care in the comfort of their own homes.

Lauren Derbyshire, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Devon, said: ‘Whether you’re a golfing pro, new to the sport or just keen to try something fun, we have everything you need to swing into action and help raise funds for an excellent cause this summer.

‘Almost one in three people don’t get the care and support they need at the end of life.

‘By fundraising and taking part in The Big Tee Off, you can help change that and bring Marie Curie’s expert end of life care and support to more people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones. So, why not get your golf clubs ready and head to the green!’

To register and receive your free Marie Curie branded golf marker and download a step-by-step golf guide to help organise your fundraiser, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/golfday or contact Community Fundraiser, Lauren Derbyshire on [email protected] or 07515 135103.

Local golf glub Captains, Vice-Captains or Ladies Captains can choose Marie Curie as their club's charity of the year and help make a difference to people with terminal illness and their families.

To register interest, email: [email protected].