Volunteers and schools throughout the district collected donations for the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day on August 28 in an appeal forecast to take a hit because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Paeroa co-ordinator Barbara Berry said ANZ Bank, the Cancer Society’s major sponsor, had pledged to match public donations through its Digital Daffodil campaign up to the value of $500,000. The pledge was made in an effort to make up for a forecasted 30 per cent loss compared to last year because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Despite this, around $2000 was raised in Paeroa during two street collections, with fresh daffodils selling out fast. They also had pens and the last lot of teddy bears for sale during the fundraiser, she said.
However, the Paeroa RSA & Citizens Club’s annual Daffodil Day afternoon tea fundraiser scheduled for August 27 was put on hold because of Covid-19 restrictions. It will be held at a later date.
Cancer Society chief executive Lucy Elwood said the money raised on Daffodil Day was crucial to funding the work it did to support one in three New Zealanders impacted by cancer.
“People may not be out and about as much this year to see our volunteers on the street,” she said.
“We still need people to donate to us online. This is why the ANZ match funding is so crucial to us and why we have a simple request. If you would have dropped coins or notes in a bucket, please donate that amount online via the ANZ Digital Daffodil.”
ANZ chief executive Antonia Watson said the aim of the campaign was to make it easier for people to donate.
“Donating via the Digital Daffodil is easy. It features a QR code to scan, something which people are well used to in the current environment.”
The ANZ had sponsored the fundraiser for 30 years, she said.
“We’re committed to fundraising for the Cancer Society because cancer doesn’t stop,” she said.
Money raised for the Cancer Society is used to support New Zealanders and help fight all types of cancer. The Cancer Society provides practical care and support to those affected and their whānau, as well as fund research, provide accommodation and run health promotion campaigns.
More information can be found at www.cancernz.org.nz and the Digital Daffodil can be downloaded at anz.co.nz.
By TERESA RAMSEY
