Faith restored after daffodil theft

It has been a happy ending to a sad tale, with cafe customers donating more than $350 to the Cancer Society after the theft of its handmade crochet daffodils.

The Rotorua Daily Post reported last week a box of 45 daffodils and about $25 cash had been stolen from the Third Place Cafe.

The crocheted daffodils were part of the society's annual Daffodil Day fundraiser, which takes place on August 26.

At the time Fiona Withers, owner of Third Place Cafe, said they were disappointed as they were trying to support a good organisation.

After the story appeared in the paper, Ms Withers said three customers came into the cafe and donated, with one giving a $100 note and another giving $250 cash.

Ms Withers said her staff were amazed by their generosity.

"It restores your faith in people."

Ms Withers said if any further customers had donations they could bring them into the cafe and they would pass them onto the Cancer Society. There are silk daffodils still available to be bought.

She said her cafe supported Daffodil Day each year, as well as other charities.

"We try to be quite community focused."

The Cancer Society's Tracey Crompton said they were overwhelmed by the response to the theft.

"We're absolutely blown away by the generosity. It's a lovely end to a not so nice story."

She said the donors wanted to remain anonymous, but she had relayed to the one she was able to contact how grateful the organisation was.

Ms Compton hasn't told Kath Tippin, who crocheted the daffodils, about the whole story as she is overseas.

She said Rotorua businesses had got involved in Daffodil Day fundraising.

"This year it's going to be amazing, thanks to the community."