Local nurse in the spotlight as Marie Curie takes over Plymouth railway station

Plymouth railway station has been taken over by the terminal illness charity Marie Curie to raise awareness of the work their nurses do in Plymouth and to fund a local nurse.

For the next 8 weeks, commuters will find that major advertising boards in the station have replaced with pictures of local Marie Curie Nurse Rob Davidson and a call for people to “Join Team Rob” to fund a Marie Curie Nurse like him for the next two years.

Marie Curie and Exterion Media, who the charity have partnered with, are hoping  that the campaign will provide an engaging experience for commuters as they travel through the station and prompt them to find out more about the work that Marie Curie do.

The takeover coincides with the launch of Marie Curie’s annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal which takes place throughout March.

Nurse Rob, 42, who lives in Leigham, provides overnight care for terminally ill people and their families in their own homes.

Rob shares his thoughts about being the face of Marie Curie in Plymouth. He says:

“I’ve got to admit, it was a bit overwhelming at first to see my face everywhere! But the overriding feeling is pride at being able to represent Marie Curie in my home town and raise awareness of the amazing work that we do.

“I’d never really thought about terminal illness much before I became a Marie Curie Nurse but that all changed when my father developed an illness which he finally died from. The illness was horrible but dying part, not so, and that was thanks to the care and support we received from Marie Curie. After that I decided that I wanted to make a difference and help others in a similar position.

“I think there is such a thing as good death. Of course, it’s always heart breaking but it can be dignified. For the majority of people, their wish is to be at home in the final weeks or days, free from pain and with their loved ones. Unfortunately I can’t make people better but I can ensure their comfort and support the family, giving them the chance to get some rest from caring for their loved one, rather than just being their carers 24/7.

“Marie Curie Nurses made that possible for my dad and my family – now I follow in their footsteps, helping others. This campaign needs peoples’ support so we can have the funds to provide care to families in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. No one should be alone during dark times, so I hope as many people help us as possible to bring some light to more families.”

Marie Curie will be at the station for the next 8 weeks, providing commuters with information about the charity’s services, and encouraging them to make a donation and wear the charity’s iconic daffodil pins. Marie Curie is looking to recruit 600 supporters to fund a nurse like Rob for up to two years.