By Ann Marie Angebrandt
DAFFODILS are shooting up in gardens around the West, signalling the onset of spring.
But to a Wyndham Vale volunteer, the flowers symbolise more than the end of winter.
Kathy MacKendrick has been raising money for cancer research by selling daffodils and teddy bears at Daffodil Day stalls for the past eight years.
“I’ve had people come to me crying and saying they’ve just lost someone to cancer,” she said.
“Everyone seems to be touched somehow and everyone seems to have some connection.”
This year, volunteers across Victoria hope to raise close to $2 million supporting the Cancer Council Australia.
Ms MacKendrick said she raised money at Flinders St train station on her first assignment.
“We had 10 volunteers each shift and a huge clump of people three-deep waving bills,” she said.
She now recruits volunteers, organises rosters and decorates her own stall with a collection of teddy bears at her own Werribee Plaza stall.
“I have one bear named ‘Big Teddy’ who wears one of the sashes and he’s my best volunteer.”
Ms MacKendrick said she hopes to beat the $5700 she raised last year.
“Everyone’s heard of this charity and recognises the daffodil,” she said. “It’s an international symbol of new hope.”
Ms MacKendrick has lost friends to cancer recently and has added reasons to volunteer for Daffodil Day, she said.
She and her team will be at the Plaza near the food court from 24-26 August.
Anyone with a few hours to spare to help fund-raise for Daffodil Day can call Ms MacKendrick on 9974 2802.
