Daffodil Day set to bloom in the Bay

Collectors armed with thousands of daffodils are set to hit the streets this Friday during the Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day appeal.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society's fund raising manager Catriona Findlay said once again the Tauranga business community had shown its generosity by pre-buying 1,601 bunches of fresh daffodils contributing $55, 748 to the appeal.

Yesterday, members of the Harbour City Lions Club helped bunch the 48, 030 daffodils needed to fill the orders, she said.

Today the pre-sold 1,601 bunches would delivered around the region 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," Ms Findlay said.

Daffodil Day was the Cancer Society's biggest fundraiser and all the money donated in the Bay goes to support cancer patients in the local community, she said.

Ms Findlay said the proceeds from Daffodil Day went towards funding vital cancer research, providing supportive care services and programmes for sufferers and health promotion programmes.

The Cancer Society also operated an information service and free helpline.
For answers, support or just a chat, call 0800 CANCER (226 237) Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm.

The Cancer Society received no direct Government funding and relies heavily on donations and fund raising to operate, and people should be wary of scammers posing as collectors.

The Cancer Society does not ask for credit card details, nor does it telephone or door knock anyone for donations, Ms Findlay said.

People can also donate to the Cancer Society's Daffodil Day street appeal by going online at www.daffodialday.org. nz, text HOPE to 469 to donate $3 or visit any ANZ branch.