Tauranga's streets will turn yellow this Friday to celebrate the Cancer Society's 24^th annual Daffodil Day appeal.

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society is asking the community to dig deep and support the society's largest annual fundraising and awareness appeal.

Daffodil Day is one of New Zealand's most recognisable campaigns and is the main funding source for the Cancer Society.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Cancer Society spokesperson Rachael Mounsey says the last few weeks have been awash with Daffodil Day activity including the pre-sale of more than 3000 bunches of daffodils to businesses in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Lakes areas as well as schools, businesses and clubs registering to hold Daffodil Day fundraising events.

'This August, we've also had people choose a challenge to complete for Daffodil Day as part of our Choose your Challenge campaign.

'Cancer is the biggest challenge many New Zealanders will face in their lifetime so it's been great to see people face a challenge of their own to raise money and show their support.”

Rachael says Tauranga residents have been completing a range of challenges to raise funds.

'The ladies in our Tauranga office are doing a hair dye challenge which we are waiting to see the outcome.”

The Tauranga Golden Girls will all dye their hair yellow if they don't raise $1000. If they raise more than $2000, Cancer Society liaison nurse Tammy Burgess will dye her hair yellow for a month.

'Daffodil Day is a well-known New Zealand campaign and people love to get involved,” says Rachael.

'It's been a fantastic month so far and we are excited to be getting out and about in our local communities. It's a fun, positive day, a reminder that there is hope for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer.”

Rachael says when people donate this Daffodil Day they are donating to a cause that is close to home.

'People like to know that the money they give stays locally and assists those in their local community - we can give people that guarantee.

'The Cancer Society receives no direct government funding so relies on the generosity of New Zealanders to operate.

'Every Daffodil Day we are overwhelmed at the generosity of communities in our region and we make sure that every dollar counts, minimising expenses and channelling every dollar possible back into our free support services.” Donations from Daffodil Day are relied on to provide supportive care for cancer patients, their carers, whanau and friends, fund cancer research and provide the public with information on the ways to reduce the risk of cancer through a smoke free, sun smart, healthy lifestyle.

Last year Daffodil Day raised more than $650,000 in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

To donate to Daffodil Day look out for the volunteer street collectors who will be in and around town on Friday, August 29 and and Saturday, August 30.

Alternatively people can make an instant $20 donation by phoning 0900 311 11 which will automatically be charged to your telephone account or simply text ‘daffodil' to 305 to make an instant $3 donation.

You can donate online at www.daffodilday.org.nz

Visit https://tameyourmane.everydayhero.com/nz/tauranga-golden-girls to donate to the Tauranga Golden Girls