Raewyn Rooney’s car is full. From handmade teddy bears to pens, mugs to napkins, reusable coffee cups to drink bottles, there’s barely room to fit herself in some days, she says.
As well as being the team leader of the Stratford Daffodil Day committee, Raewyn is in charge of the merchandise sold to help fundraise for the Cancer Society, and as always, the items are in hot demand this year, she says.
“Every year, I start getting calls well before Daffodil Day itself asking if we will have particular items in. Things can sell out before the actual day as businesses and rest homes book times for me to bring the merchandise to them.”
As a result, her car is permanently packed with all sorts of items, not only as she takes it to rest homes and businesses, but also items that she is collecting from talented volunteers who make things for the team to sell.
“We have some wonderful crocheted bears this year. Everyone was so sad when the official bears stopped being made - there was a different one each year, each with its own name and personality, but bear lovers will be thrilled as these bears are just as lovely, and being handmade, or as we term it made with love, each one is unique. We are fortunate in Taranaki to have so many talented people willing to volunteer their skills like this.”
