Alix proud to fill husband's spot

LEGACY: Alix Cooper - with dog Pepsi and helper Harry Rogers, 6 - was proud to collect from her late husband Craig's usual spot outside Food for Thought on Daffodil Day.

On Daffodil Day, the streets of Masterton were lined with joyous volunteers in high-vis vests, rattling collection buckets and, of course, offering daffodils -- but there was one collector, and his trademark toothy grin, conspicuously absent.

Luckily his proud wife and "furbaby" were there to step into his place.

Masterton orator, MC and "permanent volunteer" Craig Cooper was a familiar figure every Daffodil Day, having collected outside Food For Thought on Queen St for "many, many years", wife Alix Cooper said.

In fact, he had collected from the same spot this time last year, weakened from the leukaemia that was to claim his life a month later.

This year, it was up to Alix -- and dog Pepsi -- to fill his seat -- something she felt "bloody proud" to do on his behalf.

"Every year, Craig and [fellow volunteer] Chris Horrocks were outside Food For Thought -- they were an institution," Alix said.

"It was never an option not to volunteer on Daffodil Day this year -- but then I got a call from the Cancer Society asking if I would collect from Craig's spot.

"I said 'I'd be honoured'."

Though Alix and Craig had a shared passion for cancer awareness, both were heavily involved with the Cancer Society and Daffodil Day long before they met.

Craig began volunteering while working as community support manager for Trust House and Alix through her role as manager for the former Wairarapa Arts Centre.

Their passion grew when, in 2007, Craig was diagnosed with cancer.

"Daffodil Day took on a whole new meaning for us. All the services we were raising money for, we used -- the support groups, being reimbursed for travel costs, the works."

Naturally, Daffodil Day this year was an emotional one for Alix."I met a group of friends for lunch at Food For Thought beforehand, and burst into tears.

"It was only a year ago that Craig was just outside, collecting in his usual spot.

"I said, 'Craig should be here -- he should be in his seat'."

But the support of her friends, and the hugs, offers of coffee, and pats for Pepsi from members of the public kept her spirits up.

Particularly special was people stopping to tell their stories of surviving cancer, or losing a loved one.

"One woman gave me a $20 bill, and said she was going for some tests -- and that she almost certainly had cancer. I just took her hand, and said, 'I wish you all the best'.

"It was just awesome to be able to carry on Craig's legacy -- I was bloody proud."