She treasures the last days she was able to spend with her mum.

And now Helen Morgan has taken on the role of Marie Curie’s newly-appointed volunteer community ambassador for Huddersfield to show how grateful she is.

Sadly, back in April last year, she lost her mum Barbara Morgan to ovarian cancer after a ‘brave, dignified and courageous battle’.

Helen said: “She was a sprightly 76-year old, full of warmth and vigour before her diagnosis turned our world upside down. However, throughout her illness she never complained or got angry.”

Her mother was offered a place at the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle to build her up in readiness for more treatment.

“But things progressed fairly rapidly once she arrived in the hospice and she spent her last couple of weeks there before she passed away peacefully.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the Marie Curie Hospice – it is an amazing place which is why, now that I have some spare time on my hands, I’m volunteering for the charity.

“During my mam’s final days, we stayed with her around the clock, spending quality time during what could have been the darkest of hours. The nurses worked tirelessly day and night to give my mam the very best possible care. And we enjoyed some golden moments where we laughed together - it’s only when you’ve lost someone that you appreciate how important this is.”

As volunteer community ambassador, Helen is responsible for increasing awareness and understanding of Marie Curie’s work in the Huddersfield area, promoting the charity’s services and encouraging members of the community to volunteer, fundraise or donate by delivering talks to groups and organisations that tell the Marie Curie story.

2016 marks the 30th anniversary of Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. Since its launch, the campaign has raised more than £73 million.

This year the charity is hoping to raise £8.5 million, so it can continue to provide vital care for local people suffering terminal illness.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign and encourages everyone to give a donation and wear one of the charity’s daffodil pins during March. Daffodil pins will be available from volunteer collectors, local shops and supermarkets. For more information call 0845 601 3107 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil .