Whanganui-Rangitikei-Waimarino Cancer Society closing in on Daffodil Day fundraising target

Whanganui-Rangitikei-Waimarino Cancer Society manager Jane Beamsley accepts a cheque for $2000 from Wanganui Vintage Car Club Daffodil Rally for Cancer organiser Peter Hardy.

Daffodil Day has raised $61,000 and counting for the Whanganui-Rangitikei-Waimarino Cancer Society.

Whanganui-Rangitikei-Waimarino Centre manager Jane Beamsley said the Daffodil Day tally included a month of fundraising initiatives in Whanganui, Raetihi, Ohakune, Waiouru, Taihape, Hunterville, Marton and Bulls.

"Our goal for this year is $65,000 and it's a sure thing that we are going to reach that amount and more," Beamsley said.

"So far Daffodil Day has raised $61,000 and the money is still coming in.

"During August we have over 100 counter boxes that go out to public businesses that collect small change and we have merchandise that we sell to businesses. Schools, restaurants, community groups and businesses hold fundraising events in our honour and we have a pop-up shop that sells secondhand goods which has raised $17,000. The shop was very kindly donated to us for the month by Sandy and Sue Dobbin, for which we are so grateful.

"We have a Daffodil Day raffle and of course we have the beautiful bunches of daffodils that you see during the street appeal when our force of volunteers hit the streets."

Beamsley said major sponsor ANZ held a quiz night, sausage sizzle and ran some exclusive Trade Me auctions to support the cause. Local businesses donated resources to keep the Cancer Society's costs to a minimum and there was a lot of support behind the scenes.

"We have a volunteer who bakes the most beautiful sultana cake for us the week of Daffodil Day. This usually feeds the volunteers helping out throughout the week. MARS Petcare donate hundreds of chocolates to us to give out to our volunteers and Sid and Christine Soulsby invite us to pick daffodils from their farm year after year.

"None of this would be possible without our volunteers. Over 200 people put their hand up to help for Daffodil Day. It takes so much manpower that it simply wouldn't happen without them. So from the Cancer Society, thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, donors and supporters."

The Cancer Society receives no government funding so relies on donations, grants and bequests. The money raised stays with the local centre and supports people in the community faced with a cancer diagnosis, helping with free transport to treatment, one-on-one support, health promotion initiatives and operational costs.

"Because of this, we can never stop fundraising," Beamsley said.

"Our next fundraiser is a pop-up restaurant which is popping up in the old Big School at Wanganui Collegiate."

The event, sponsored by Wanganui Collegiate and Amdram Theatre, is at 6pm on Saturday, October 13, with a surprise theme and entertainment running through the night. Tickets are $50 per person and include buffet food. A cash/eftpos bar will be available. Tickets are available from the Cancer Society's office at 3 Koromiko Rd or by emailing annette.cox@cancercd.org.nz