Helping hand for Daffodil Day

The Wairarapa Engine Rebuilders building on Dixon St was a sea of bright yellow yesterday morning, as a line of Cancer Society volunteers organised thousands of daffodils into fetching bouquets.

Once arranged in bunches, the daffodils will be making their way across Wairarapa and landing on the desks of various businesses, as part of the Cancer Society's annual fresh flower appeal.

Every year leading up to Daffodil Day, businesses order bunches of fresh daffodils and all payments go towards the Cancer Society, says Jeanine Gribbin, centre manager for the Wairarapa region.

"We're sending out well over 1000 bunches this year," she said. "All funds go towards helping cancer patients here in Wairarapa."

She says more than 50 volunteers will be working to arrange the daffodils, which have been picked "from all over the show".

"They've come from everywhere - from people's gardens, paddocks and farms.

"People have been so generous with their time and their daffodils. Anyone can bring daffodils in if they've got them."

The daffodil bunches will be delivered throughout the region over three days, and will be received by businesses such as The White Swan Hotel, Resene, Ballentynes and Compass Health.

"We get small businesses that ring up and ask for one bunch, and big ones who make a huge order," said Ms Gribbin.

Volunteer Marion Long says she helps out with the fresh flower appeal every year and it has "just got bigger and bigger" over the years.

"People are much more aware [of cancer] these days," she said. "Every year, there are more daffodils coming in."

Trish Newcombe has been volunteering for the Cancer Society for five years, and has helped assemble daffodils in many different locations around Masterton. "I find it very rewarding," she said.