THE chief executive of a national charity swapped his London day job to make confectionery at Nestlé’s York factory as part of a drive to raise funds for nurses.

Thomas Hughes-Hallett, boss of Marie Curie Cancer Care (MCCC), whipped up a batch of chocolate daffodils, the emblem of the organisation, before selling them from a stall in Parliament Street, York.

Nestlé staff across the UK are fundraising for MCCC and aim to generate over £250,000 for the charity, whose nurses provide free care to patients with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes. The sale of Nestlé chocolates in Parliament Street raised £1,500 towards the company’s fundraising total.

Nestlé’s York factory employees have secured more than £20,000 for MCCC through numerous fundraising activities including a York to Edinburgh cycle ride, a coast to coast walk, cake sales and recycling old items from the plant.

Mr Hughes-Hallett said: “Visiting the York factory has given me a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the Nestlé employees who have been doing such great things to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. To join in the fundraising efforts I thought I’d try my hand on the York confectionery production line – the funds raised from the sale of my chocolate daffodils will be a small contribution to Nestlé UK’s fundraising efforts.”

Marie Curie nurse Lorna Clarkson, who joined Mr Hughes-Hallett at the factory, said: “The money raised by Nestlé employees will help fund more Marie Curie nurses like me who provide free nursing care for terminally ill patients in their own homes as well as emotional support and advice for their families.”

To get help from the Marie Curie nursing service talk to your GP, district nurse or discharge nurse. To show your support for MCCC, or to find out more about the charity, visit mariecurie.org.uk