Hugh Grant, Steve Fountain and Marie Curie Cancer Care Kent Nursing Ambassador Frankie Henley

Actor Hugh Grant is calling on people to support a Kent appeal to help fund local Marie Curie Nurses who care for terminally ill people at home.

There are 26 Marie Curie Nurses working in Kent. Last year they provided more than 14,000 hours of care to people with cancer and other terminal illnesses free of charge - giving them the opportunity to die at home surrounded by those they love.

Marie Curie wants to raise £239,000 to fund its nursing service in Kent this year so it can double the number of people who are able to choose to die at home.

Hugh, an ambassador for the Marie Curie charity, said "I know from my own experience how important it is to have someone you love die at home, cared for by a Marie Curie Nurse. That's why I'm supporting the Kent nursing appeal.

"Twenty pounds can pay for an hour of care but you don't have to just donate your money - you could get sponsored to take on a challenge, hold an event or share some of your time and skills.

"Whatever way you can, please support Kent's Marie Curie Nurses, they do such an amazing job."

The star of such blockbuster films as Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral was speaking at a Marie Curie Cancer Care event at which he released the findings of a survey he had commissioned into people's awareness of the end-of-life care available to them.

While four in five (79 per cent) of the UK population are aware of Marie Curie Cancer Care, the survey revealed that the same percentage don't know if there is a Marie Curie nursing service available to them locally.

Few also know how to access the service - just under half (48 per cent) responded "don't know" when asked how they would go about getting a Marie Curie Nurse.

Hugh said, "Most people would want to be cared for at home if they were terminally ill but most people die in hospital.

"Hand-in-hand with funding, the local Marie Curie Nursing Service, is ensuring as many people as possible are aware of the nurses working in the community to care for the terminally ill.

"People don't need to wait to be offered a Marie Curie Nurse - you can ask your GP, your district nurse or go to the Marie Curie Cancer Care website for more information."

Marie Curie's Kent patron Steve Fountain, who is head of the KM Group's kmfm radio stations, said: "It was great to meet Hugh and discover how committed he is to the good work of the charity.

"I hope his support for the Kent appeal will encourage more people to help the Marie Curie Nurses provide free care to patients with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes."

Kent Marie Curie nursing ambassador Franky Henley also met Hugh.

Franky, who is also involved in the Kent fund-raising campaign, said: "For every patient I can help spend their last days at home there are three other cancer patients I am unable to help. With your help we can change this."

For more information, and to view a video of Hugh talking about the appeal, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk