One last win for the Windleborns

Daffodil Day baby photo competition winner Malcolm Windleborn and his mum Renee (right), with Section 1 winner Easton Booth and mum Tara.

Kaitaia's Daffodil Day baby photo competition has been a huge success for the Cancer Society for well over 20 years, thanks in large part to a handful of families who have devoted huge energy to raising funds for the annual appeal.

But when it comes to Daffodil Day legends no one can hold a candle to Renee Windleborn and her family. Their five children have been winners no fewer than seven times, but there won't be an eighth.

"That's it. There will be no more babies in the Windleborn household," Renee said on Friday after her youngest, Malcolm, had collected the prize in Section 3 and the title of Fundraiser of the Year.

Malcolm was just eight weeks old when he won Section 1 last year, while his sister Zariah won Section 3 and their mum collected the fundraising champion's trophy. Next year he will be too old to take part, and seemingly has no chance of ever becoming a big brother.

It all began with Renee's first daughter, Rylee, now 12, who also scored two wins before 'retiring'.

Last year it was cup cakes and hangi that raised most of the money, but with her supporters' BMIs and blood sugar levels in mind, this year's effort had focused on raffles.

Last week's other section winners were Easton Booth and Madison Laver. The 50 babies who took part collectively raising around $3600.

Lisa Jones (Far North REAP) thanked all who had supported the competition and Daffodil Day generally in Kaitaia, including the RSA Women's Section, the NorthTec students who collected donations on Friday, Jo Buckingham (ANZ), the Far North Pharmacy, photographer Rachel Foster and her team at REAP.

She had special thanks for Marie Berghan, formerly of the National Bank in Kaitaia - whose staff founded the competition and ran it for many years before amalgamation with the ANZ - who "go way back," and had now returned to the fold.