30,000 poppies ready for Poppy Day in Rotorua

Poppy Day organiser Philippa Jenkins is ready for this year's fundraiser. Photo / Stephen Parker

Thirty thousand felt poppies have been boxed up and will be delivered to various spots around Rotorua for Poppy Day this Friday.

The annual fundraiser is being held a week earlier this year due to Good Friday falling on April 19.

Organiser Philippa Jenkins said it had been a struggle to find volunteers but students from John Paul College, Western Heights High School and cadets had saved the day.

"We're still in need of eight more volunteers but these young volunteers have helped fill the gaps. If it wasn't for the young ones we would definitely struggle."

Jenkins said organisers ran dangerously low on poppies last year so they made sure they would have enough for this year's event.

"We don't want to risk running out so the 30,000 should cover us for Poppy Day and other occasions throughout the year."

For people looking to buy a Poppy on Friday, Jenkins said the most popular spots were supermarkets and other areas where there was more foot traffic.

"For the first time this year we're also having a table in the hospital's atrium at the request of the staff there who said they struggled to get away to buy a poppy."

She believed Poppy Day remained a popular fundraiser because everybody knew of somebody who went to war.

"Poppy Day supports a good cause and it brings up memories of family members who fought. Centennial celebrations in recent years have definitely kept it in people's faces."

All the money raised from Poppy Day goes towards improving the quality of life of current and former servicemen and women and their families.