TOURISM boss Gary Verity has taken on a new role as a senior volunteer with one of the UK’s largest charities.

The chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire has become the Yorkshire patron for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Verity, who lost his wife, Helen, to cancer in 2009, will represent Marie Curie at the highest level and encourage and initiate fundraising opportunities across the county to support the charity’s work.

He said he was passionate about the work of Marie Curie and shared the charity’s vision as it improved and expanded its services for terminally- ill patients and their families during some of their most difficult days.

Because of his own personal experience he has twice competed in marathons to raise cash for the charity – in New York in 2009 and London last year.

“It is a great honour to be asked to take on the role of Patron for Yorkshire and one that I am delighted to accept,” he said.

“Every single day there are at least 30 Marie Curie nurses caring for terminally-ill patients across the county and the care they deliver is totally free.”

His acceptance of his new role coincides with the launch of Marie Curie’s biggest annual campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal, which encourages everyone to give a donation and wear a daffodil in March.

The charity is looking for volunteer collectors to help out at local collections throughout the month.

To volunteer contact area fund-raising manager Cheryl Barrett on 01904-436625 or 07984-022066 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil.