Tauranga's support for Daffodil Day

People young, old and of all shapes and sizes are wearing daffodils today to support the New Zealand Cancer Society's annual fundraiser.

Today is Daffodil Day, which encourages people to wear the yellow flower in support of the charity, which provides care and services for cancer patients and their families.

The Tauranga business community show its generosity by pre-buying 1601 bunches of fresh daffodils contributing $55,748 to the appeal.

Earlier this week members of the Harbour City Lions Club helped bunch 48,030 daffodils needed to fill the orders, which were delivered with help from Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club, Tauranga Mount Taxis, ANZ Regional Office, Countdown Managers' Group, and Katikati and Te Puke volunteer support groups.

"The success of Daffodil Day including the pre-sell campaign depends very much on the work of hundreds of volunteers across the region. Without them, Daffodil Day simply wouldn't happen," Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society's fund raising manager Catriona Findlay said.

The charity receives no government funding and relies on donations.

Cancer Society chief executive Claire Austin said 60 people were diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand. And one in three people were affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

"Cancer is an indiscriminate disease that affects our families, our neighbours, and our national heroes."

"While it's great to see our country's leaders getting behind our cause and sharing their personal stories, it shows that there is much more work to be done to detect, diagnose, treat and support the many people affected by cancer every day."

People wanting to donate to progress the research and support those affected by cancer can do so by donating directly with a street collector, at any ANZ branch, by texting 469 to instantly donate $3, or online at daffodilday.org.nz.