MARIE Curie is calling on Dorset residents to host online tea parties for their now virtual Blooming Great Tea Party.

The end of life charity wants people to throw a Blooming Virtual Tea Party from home this summer to stay connected to loved ones as well as support those working on the frontline amid the pandemic.

In people’s homes across Dorset, the charity is caring for people with terminal illnesses, as well as people with Covid-19, and is protecting the NHS by keeping patients away from hospital.

However, its fundraising income has been severely impacted by the virus and its charity shops, including those in Westbourne, Ferndown and Poole, have closed, further depleting income.

Marie Curie's celebrity ambassador, Mel Giedroyc said: "Marie Curie’s Blooming Great Tea Party is going ‘virtual’ this year and it’s a simple way to keep in touch with your chums, while raising money for a wonderful cause.

"Marie Curie needs to raise a massive £2.5million each week to care for the tens of thousands of people who need its nursing and hospice care. This year, the amazing nurses and frontline staff need you more than ever, as the fundraising events they rely on have all been cancelled."

Marie Curie Fundraising Manager for Dorset, Natalie Garland added: "Our Blooming Great Tea Party looks a little different this year but I think everyone needs an excuse to meet up with their friends and family – online of course – and check in on the people they love. If you can do that while raising some money for Marie Curie, then your generous donations will enable us to help even more people at the end of their lives get the care they need in this time of uncertainty."

To register as a Blooming Virtual Tea Party host, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 0800 716 146 for your fundraising pack full of hints, tips, recipes and fundraising ideas.