Volunteers pitch in for a golden day

Rotorua's Richard Batchelar helps bunch flowers for Daffodil Day. Photo / Stephen Parker

Richard Batchelar knows what it is like to receive support from the Cancer Society ahead of this year's Daffodil Day.

Cancer Society Rotorua spent most of the morning yesterday bunching 20,000 daffodils for their annual fundraiser Daffodil Day on Friday.

Mr Batchelar volunteered to help bunch the flowers with a group of other supporters from Rotary-based group Rotaract.

"It is a fantastic cause, the money raised helps a lot of New Zealanders," he said.

"I have dealt with the Cancer Society before on a personal level.

"As a family we received help from them when my mother was quite sick."

He said his mother died from breast cancer about 10 years ago and the society's help during that time was much appreciated.

Rotorua businesses have also got behind the cause, buying 600 bunches of daffodils this year.

Students from Rotorua Girls' High School and John Paul College helped deliver the flowers to each business yesterday.

Cancer Society Rotorua reported sales were up on last year with an extra 140 bunches sold this year to local businesses.

The society will also hit the streets of Rotorua on Friday asking for donations and selling silk daffodils for a gold coin.

A total of 24 Daffodil Day stations will be set up on Friday between the Rotorua International Airport and Ngongotaha.

Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society's biggest annual event and looks to raise awareness about cancer as well as funds.

Daffodils sold in Rotorua this week were grown near Hamilton at Clandon Daffodils.