A VOLUNTEER from Penarth has been named south east Wales fundraiser of the year by a charity.

Nerys Thomas has been a valued volunteer within the fundraising department at the Marie Curie Cardiff & the Vale Hospice for 15 years, giving up her time to assist in a variety of activities that help fund care and support of people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

She has undertaken three charity treks to raise funds to support Marie Curie, conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Wall of China, and the Atlas mountains in Morocco.

She also co-ordinates the placing of collection tins and daffodil boxes in local shops, schools and businesses, provides office support to assist staff at the hospice fundraising office and by giving talks to local groups.

Ms Thomas was presented with her award by deputy health minister and Penarth assembly member Vaughan Gething, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday - the same day the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal was launched.

Ms Thomas said: “Fundraising is not something you do for the rewards, but this has been a lovely surprise. I’m totally overwhelmed.”

Sara Bass, Marie Curie fundraising manager for Wales, said: "At Marie Curie we are blessed to have so many fantastic volunteers, whose hard work and dedication make it possible for us to provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families across Wales.

"Selecting winners for these awards is not easy because we have so many brilliant volunteers who go the extra mile to support us, but Nerys is particularly deserving of his award as she is one of our star volunteers whose contribution is invaluable. We hope this award goes some way to showing our gratitude for her amazing support.”

The Great Daffodil Appeal, now in its 30th year, is Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.

The appeal is encouraging people in Wales to ‘get behind the daffodil’ and help the charity raise more money than ever before by donating and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin.

Daffodil pins are available from volunteers across the county throughout February and March.

For more information about the appeal or to volunteer, call 0845 601 3107* or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil.

To donate £5 text *DAFF to 70111 or call 0800 716 146 to donate over the phone.