Committee secretary Helen Cameron, who joined three years ago, says she herself "survived a scare," so when Mary approached her to join the committee she saw it as a great way to support a charity close to her heart as well as get involved in the local community.
The first year the luncheon was held, the group raised $2200, last year, they raised $20,508.80.
"And we are hoping to raise even more this year."
Helen says while the committee's focus is on Daffodil Day itself, where they sell bunches of daffodils, raffle tickets and various Cancer Society items as well as the luncheons, they also raise money during the year when the opportunity presents itself.
"We had a lady who won a whole load of Easter eggs, she raffled them off for us, we have had the garden open days, the money trickles in during the year through various avenues."
Mary says people seem to give generously to the appeal, "perhaps because they know the money stays local, it doesn't go to Auckland". She adds the funds go towards services such as the bus which takes patients between New Plymouth and Palmerston North for radiation treatment as well as ensuring people have easy access to advice and information when they need it.
All of the committee are now hard at work preparing for Daffodil Day which takes place on Friday, August 28 this year, and Mary says they are still on the look out for any willing volunteers who would like to help out either on the day or in the lead up to the day.
"We need people to deliver the flowers and luncheons that are ordered, to sell the raffle tickets, to help in the hall on the day, plus we need pickers for the flowers, we have all sorts of jobs that need volunteers at this point."
If you would like to help, contact Mary on 06 765 0404. Would be flower pickers can call Glenys Campbell on 06 765 5428.
See next week's Stratford Press for more about Daffodil Day and this year's plans.
