Charity volunteer for Marie Curie nominated for Croydon Champions award

Karen Green, 52, of Purley, has been nominated for this year's Charity Volunteer award for her work at Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity.

The volunteer is based at the charity’s Caterham branch and has volunteered there for more than 11 years.

She was nominated by Pauline Percival, the shop manager at Caterham, who said Mrs Green worked tirelessly to promote the charity.

Karen’s mother, Elsie Sands, inspired her to get involved with the charity after she died from ovarian Cancer in 1994 .

The 52-year-old works closely with fundraising teams and does PR work for Marie Curie. Her first role was volunteering in the fundraising office. Winner of the charity’s volunteers achievement award in 2005, Karen uses her two passions in life to promote the charity.

They are her love for Crystal Palace FC and all things connected to dance.

Karen, a season ticket holder at Selhurst Park has used her passionate support to forge links between the club and the charity.

Eagles’goalkeeper Julian Speroni has made several visits to Marie Curie shops to help with charity events and the first team squad have been involved in photo-calls at the club’s Beckenham Training Ground.

On the dance front, Karen persuaded Karen Hardy from Strictly Come Dancing to visit the shop in Caterham where the staff danced an impromptu cha cha cha.

Karen said she was delighted to be nominated for an award.

She said: "It is a great feeling. It is funny how many people recognise me now for all the work I do.

"At Crystal Palace games people now know me as the daffodil lady which is quite funny.

"I can’t say how valued it is to be supported and I am so surprised and happy to be nominated. Some people have said some really nice things about me which is lovely.

"The charity is such a worthwhile cause. When my mum passed away it was a difficult time but these nurses are angels. I can’t speak highly enough of the people who work here and it is a privilege to support the charity."