The Marie Curie Nurses Appeal is appealing for more collectors to help in the run up to the festive season.

The charity has volunteers in supermarkets across Bolton during the festive period and is appealing for more helpers for this year’s activities.

All the money raised, usually around £5,000, will go to the campaign, which was launched in June to raise £200,000 in 12 months.

The appeal, which is being backed by The Bolton News, will provide more free nursing care for terminally ill people in their own homes.

The Bolton volunteers’ fundraising group organises the collections and has so far secured 10 days in supermarkets, as well as three days at the Market Place, Bolton, which is a first for the charity.

Christine Mason, who co-ordinates the events, wants more helpers to come forward.

She said: “It’s an excellent cause and this year, particularly because of the nursing appeal, the collections are even more important.

“In only two hours, people could raise £100, which would provide five hours of nursing time.

“It’s fun, you can dress up if you want and the public are lovely. We always get a warm reception for our activities.”

Collections will be held at the Morrison’s supermarket in Lee Gate, Harwood, on November 27 and 28 and at Tesco, at Middlebrook, on November 27, 29 and 30.

The events at the Market Place will be taking place on December 4, 5 and 6, when the charity will also be at the Co-op store in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross.

There will also be two days of collecting at Sainsbury’s, in Trinity Street, Bolton town centre, on December 9 and 10.

This is the third year that the Bolton Marie Curie volunteer fundraisers have organised the collections.

The group also runs the annual Great Daffodil Appeal in the spring.

Anyone who wants to volunteer for one of the collections is asked to contact Hannah Taylor, the community fundraiser for Marie Curie, on 0161 255 2809.