The Wānaka Upper Clutha Lions is gearing up to continue its long-running annual Daffodil Day pikelet fundraiser tradition this Thursday (August 29).

Over the last 30-or-so years the Lions ladies have sold tens of thousands of pikelets in support of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and this year will be no different.

Wānaka Upper Clutha Lions chair Sue Grant told the Wānaka App the pikelet fundraiser involved “at least 30 people”.

On Thursday the Lions ladies will head to the local ANZ at 7am with their trestle tables, cooking utensils and ingredients and set up the production line before cooking up a huge volume of pre-ordered pikelets.

There may be “a few extras” for anyone who hasn’t ordered and wants to head along on the morning and try their luck, Sue said.

The club used to do two full days of cooking “but we’ve limited the numbers so it’s not too onerous on us making them”, she said.

Sue said members of the public can drop in to the ANZ Wānaka branch, which is helping to facilitate the fundraiser, to see if they are still accepting orders.

There will be other ways to support the Cancer Foundation in Wānaka this week.

On Friday (August 30) there will be fundraiser sites selling fresh daffodils and other items at five locations around town, Southern Cancer Society community manager Tara Stratham told the Wānaka App.

They will be located at New World Wānaka, New World Three Parks, Paper Plus Wānaka and the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.

Members of the public are also encouraged to wear yellow or a daffodil pin on Friday to show their support.

Cancer Society chief executive Nicola Coom said one in three New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime.

“The generous giving of everyday New Zealanders ensures the ‘1 in 3’ get the vital support they need,” she said. 

“It helps us provide safe transport to and from cancer treatment, provides accommodation for those travelling for treatment, and helps make sure experienced nurses and counsellors are always there for people affected by cancer.”

Find more information about Daffodil Day or donate online here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App