THE Marie Curie nursing charity is looking for volunteers in York to boost a million-pound campaign to help victims of life-threatening illnesses.

Marie Curie is the official charity of the UK stages of the Tour de France and has launched a Grand Depart campaign based around key themes of the event.

A booklet has been produced setting out fundraising ideas in an attempt to raise £1 million off the back of the event.

Office-based volunteers are now needed to spread the word about how people can get involved.

Cheryl Barrett, project manager for the Tour de France Grand Depart Charity Partnership, said: “We need to get the message out to Yorkshire. Every volunteer would be like gold dust to us.”

Volunteers are being sought between now and July with a range of skills, including IT and marketing, to help with office admin or to talk to people on the phone. Anyone interested should email Cheryl.barrett@mariecurie.org.uk or phone her on 07984 022066.

Fundraising events could have a French, cycling or yellow – as worn by the leader of the Tour de France – theme, with pupils encouraged to wear yellow to school on a non-uniform day, or perhaps a fundraiser could be sponsored to sit in a bath of yellow custard for the day.

Money raised will enable Marie Curie to provide hands on nursing care to patients who are terminally ill.

The first stage of the Tour de France leaves Leeds for Harrogate on July 5. On July 6, it leaves York Racecourse for Sheffield.