Mangonui Lions 'just the enablers' for Daffodil Day breakfast

Ina Shalders topping up the scrambled eggs while Tamara Sparksman and Linda Zander wait for the next rush of customers.

Several hundred people began their daily routine on Friday with a good breakfast inside them.

"Worth every penny," one satisfied customer declared as he departed the Cooper's Beach Bowling Club — but it was the Mangonui Lions who were most grateful.

The sixth Lions Club Daffodil Day breakfast was better supported than ever, but president Graham Stanaway said he and his fellow volunteers were minor players.

"All we do is enable this to happen," he said. "Everything is donated, from the toast to the bacon and eggs, the whole lot, including the raffles.

"This entire event is cost-free, and we thank every one of you who has contributed to that, and who has come here this morning to support us, from the bottom of our hearts."

The serving crew of Tamara Sparksman and Linda Zander had their work cut out keeping up with the influx of hungry supporters (and bowed to pressure from Joe Milich and Mate Radich to plonk two sausages on each of their plates — everyone else got one), while Lions scuttled backwards and forwards between the kitchen and dining room, keeping the food coming and cleaning up as supporters finished their meals and made room for more.

This entire event is cost-free, and we thank every one of you who has contributed to that, and who has come here this morning to support us, from the bottom of our hearts.

Graham Stanaway Mangonui Lions president

It wasn't entirely plain sailing though. One of the kitchen crew suffered a deep gash to one hand in an unsuccessful bid to prevent a falling plate from breaking, but expert help wasn't far away.

A local ambo was there making her contribution to the Cancer Society fundraiser to tend the wound and whisk the victim away for stitching.

Lion Dave Shalders was anxious that anyone who saw the ambulance leaving didn't get the wrong idea.

"I hope they don't think we're poisoning people," he said.