Daffodil Day has come and gone for another year but for one Pambula resident it was particularly special.
As of Friday, August 26, Robyn Whitby has officially organised and run the Pambula Daffodil Day fundraisers for 20 straight years.
Each year has had its ups and downs but Ms Whitby said she wouldn’t change it for the world.
“We all know cancer in itself is affecting more and more people each year and supporting Daffodil Day is one of the things people can do to feel like they are making a difference, whether it be volunteering, buying a daffodil or donating money to local community always gets behind the day.”
After being a Daffodil Day volunteer for a couple of years, in 1996 Ms Whitby was asked to take on the role of organising the Pambula stall.
Back then she had no idea that this would become a life long passion.
“Everyone has a cancer story and over the years I have been fortunate enough to meet some incredible people and it has been a privilege to be apart of their journey,” Ms Whitby said.
Ms Whitby has had some very memorable moments over the years but she will never forget the moments she has shared with people battling cancer.
“There are times when people approached me at the stall or at Relay for Life to share their story and I was able to listen and help ease their burden,” she said. “It’s very rewarding.
Ms Whitby and her husband Greg has also been involved with the Cancer Council for many years and were the organisers of the local Relay for Live event, which is no longer running but was very successful for a number of years.
Despite having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ms Whitby said the money isn’t everything. She believes the awareness she has raised is just as valuable in helping people fight or prevent cancer.
Back in 1996, Ms Whitby only organised the Pambula main street stall but over the years this has grown and this year she was the organiser of the Pambula main street, the Tura Beach, the Pambula Beach and the Pambula Public School stalls which raised more than $4,000.
She said she is particularly fond of the effort that the team at Pambula Public School put in to turn the event into a magnificent day selling cancer council merchandise, daffodils and hundreds of cupcakes each year.
With 20 years under her belt, Ms Whitby is showing no signs of stopping.
“I want to thank all the volunteers past, present and future.”
