Pick your own Daffodil Day challenge

Sarah Fitzpatrick, from the Cancer Society, and Lucy Willard, fundraising co-ordinator, get into the spirit of Daffodil Day.

Spring is in the air and the daffodils are about to start blooming with tomorrow marking the start of the Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day appeal month.

This year the traditional Daffodil Day street appeal is on Friday, August 29, and the society is asking people to face a challenge of their choice as a way to raise money and awareness for the society.

Cancer Society spokeswoman Rachael Mounsey said 60 people in New Zealand were diagnosed with cancer every day: "By the end of August, 1,860 people will be newly diagnosed and tackling this challenge head on.

"This August, you can give hope to these people by facing your own challenge.

"Challenges can be anything from ticking off forgotten New Year resolutions such as skydiving, to having a radical change in hairstyle, to running a kilometre for every $5 raised or having a yellow bake-off with family and friends.

"The great thing about Choose your Challenge is there is a challenge out there for everyone so the whole community can get involved."

Mrs Mounsey said Daffodil Day was all about hope.

"The best thing about Daffodil Day is that the money raised stays in the region in which it was donated so it helps people in the local community."

Funds raised through Daffodil Day enable the Cancer Society to provide supportive care for cancer patients, their whanau, carers and friends, fund research and provide the public with information on ways they can reduce their risk of cancer.

Choose your challenge and raise money for the Cancer Society by visiting online: challenge.daffodilday.org.nz for ideas.

Donate to the Cancer Society — during collections on Friday, August 29, online at daffodilday.org.nz, text daffodil to 305, or visit any ANZ Bank branch.

Volunteer to help with Daffodil Day in Rotorua by calling (0800) 22 77 44.