OUT of the depths of winter comes an annual bright yellow day of hope.
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This Friday, August 28, is Daffodil Day, the national initiative of the Australian Cancer Council.
Louise Barnes has been driving the local fundraiser for several years, and seems tireless in her dedication to aid any effort to combat the disease in all its forms.
“It is a lot of work, but I love it, and because I just have a passion for cancer and oncology,” she said.
“I don’t do it for the feedback, I did it because I care and because I love it.”
She has welcomed the flood of Daffodil Day merchandise into her Inverell home to divvy up between stalls around the CBD and volunteers who will take the keepsakes across town.
Bears are high on the list with about 200 taking up residence in Louise’s home. There is a new holiday bear this year, and she has more of the larger plush bears on offer.
All the bears have the addition of beans, making them satisfyingly huggable as well as cuddly.
There will be pens, footballs, badges and pins, magnets and key rings as well as the iconic yellow daffodils.
Ann Germany has created a hand-crocheted throw with a spray of three-dimensional daffodil blooms in the centre to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
The throw will be raffled, with tickets for $1 each or three for $2, available at all the stalls in town.
The Inverell Prostate Support Group will cover the industrial areas, and stalls will be set up outside Big W, IGA and Best & Less.
Louise said many high school students will help out on the day, and most of the schools will have the colourful items for sale.
Stalls open at 9am and volunteers will stop into local businesses with items for sale.
Louise lost her father and grandparents to cancer and the day is another opportunity to help.
“I see so much around and I just want to do my bit,” she said.
“If it’s doing Daffodil Day, that’s fine. If it’s supporting somebody through the journey, that’s fine.
“Whatever it is, I’m there to do it.”