THE Marie Curie Nurses Appeal was launched by the charity and The Bolton News at the end of June, 2009.

It aimed to raise £200,000 in 12 months to fund free home nursing care for local terminally ill people, enabling them to die in their own homes.

From the outset, the community rallied round to back the cause, with a host of fundraising events by young and old, individuals, groups and companies taking place.

Celebrities also got on board, with actor Hugh Grant, Strictly Come Dancing star Camilla Dallerup, showbiz legend Bruce Forsyth, TV presenter, author and writer Stephen Fry, actress Jane Horrocks and radio presenter Tony Blackburn, among those pledging their support.

In the first six months, this included donations and the charity’s annual events such as the Blooming Great Tea Parties, with people signing up to Marie Curie challenges and A Chance to Dance, a spectacular fundraising dance event.

Individuals and groups across the borough organised their own fundraising, from garden parties and pub charity nights, to a moustache shave and a fundraising library at a greengrocers — even a music festival was staged by local bands to raise cash for the cause.

The total crept up, from £30,000 at the end of August, 2009, to £60,000 by the end of autumn.

During the festive season, there were collections, concerts, a Boxing Day fancy dress extravaganza and a New Year disco, to name a few events.

The money continued to come in steadily, getting to the half-way point by the New Year.

Spring saw individuals and clubs doing their bit while more businesses, such as Premex, Mecca Bingo and G Casino, got involved and schoolchildren grew then gave away daffodils in return for donations, with the Mini Pots of Care scheme. The Great Daffodil Appeal ran through March and April, with collections, the sale of daffodil badges and a host of events themed around the flower.

These months also saw football matches, pub fun days and a swimathon swimming event take place, with the total pushing to £138,000.

May saw the Mayor’s Mile bring in funds, alongside the Hospital Cup and a Mecca Bingo talent show.

Then the big push was on towards the deadline, with the start of more Blooming Great Tea Parties and new charity challenges becoming available.

But by the end of June, the appeal was £50,000 short of the target.

Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Bolton News were confident the total could be reached, and the campaign was extended until the end of September.

Everybody pulled out all the stops with a final push for the past three months and the £200,000 total finally reached.

Jemma Halman, Marie Curie area fundraising manager, said: “This is a hundred per cent down to the people of Bolton and The Bolton News.

“The biggest help has been people deciding to do things for us, either to join one of our events or do their own.

“It has made a big difference having the support of clubs and companies and every donation has also counted.

“We just want to say a big thank you.”