Despite wet and cold conditions, Marie Curie volunteers braved the weather for the first time in two years to carry out fundraising duties in Whitchurch earlier this month.

And they are hopeful that the Marie Curie daffodil, which is usually on sale in the spring, will be able to return in March 2022.

With the support of local people, the seven volunteers raised £301 on December 10 which will be used to fund nurses who provide care and support for people at home with any terminal illness.

The volunteers said their work is important due to fears of hospitals being overwhelmed by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Former nurse turned volunteer, Jan Thornhill said the nurses help ensure people are cared for in their own homes 24/7 and ease the pressure on carers.

She added: “The nurses come at nighttime. Their work will give the family a bit of a break from their responsibilities.”

Locals have been extremely generous with their donations to the charity, with Mrs Thornhill adding: “In previous years, most of our donations were coins but this year people have been giving £5 and £10 notes.”

The charity is vital in an area as rural as north Shropshire.

With limited public transport and a significant elderly population, many do not have the means to travel to bigger towns, like Telford or Shrewsbury. Also, many are weary about going into hospital due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Although, they continued to raise money online over the lockdown period, Mrs Thornhill said there are benefits of fundraising on the streets of Whitchurch.

“Older people, without internet, are not excluded from donating to us," she said. "Also, collecting on the street raises the profile of the charity and what it does.”