Dannevirke: Garden's gift to bring cancer cheer

Shirley Walker (left), Tararua field officer for the Cancer Society, receives a $300 cheque from gardener Linda Barnett, the proceeds from the 96 visitors to her open day on Saturday. Photo / Christine McKay

You just never know what is around the corner, Dannevirke's Linda Barnett said this week as she donated $300 to the cancer support group.

While Linda could well have been talking about her expansive country garden at Maharahara, which was open to the public on Saturday, it was the way cancer had affected her family she was referring to.

"My niece died from breast cancer and my husband and brother-in-law have also had to face cancer, so it's nice to be able to give the proceeds from the garden tour to our local cancer support group because you never know what's around the corner," she said.

With four other Dannevirke gardeners, Linda opened her gates to visitors on Saturday and while it is up to each gardener to decide what to do with their takings, the cancer support group is the most deserving for Linda.

"You have a garden and get pleasure from it and opening it to the public is a bonus. We had a fantastic day, with 96 people through, the first from Kumeroa, keen to beat the road closures ahead of the Targa Rally."

They were followed by former Dannevirke resident Judith Buckeridge, who now lives in Hawke's Bay.

"Judith brought down a car-load of visitors and they'd obviously spent money in town because they were all drinking coffee," Linda said.

"We'll give this money to local cancer families at Christmas."
Shirley Walker, Cancer Societ

Organiser of the open gardens Lynne Mitchell, of Umutaoroa, said visitors to her garden had been shopping in Dannevirke, which was a bonus for retailers.

The garden tour was also an ideal day out for locals.

For Shirley Walker, Tararua field officer for the Cancer Society, the $300 donation from Linda was a wonderful surprise.

"We'll give this money to local cancer families at Christmas," she said.

"Families are struggling with their budgets as a result of cancer and it's really sad, but an added extra will hopefully help put a smile on some faces at Christmas."

-Story and photos from the open gardens tour in tomorrow's Dannevirke News.