Noble Family Plants 3000 Daffodil Bulbs in Tribute for Daffodil Day

More than 3,000 daffodil bulbs have been planted on a Katikati property in a heartfelt tribute ahead of Daffodil Day on Friday, 29 August. The gesture comes from Jill Noble and her adult children Leigh and Nicola, who planted the bulbs in memory of husband and father Allan Noble, who passed away from cancer on 15 June 2024. Jill, a long-time gardener and lover of daffodils for their colour, said planting the bulbs was one thing she could do to support the cause.

The bulbs came about after Daffodil Day area coordinator Monique Amor approached Jill to see if 200 donated bulbs could be planted on her property, which borders State Highway 2 just south of Katikati. One offer led to another, and Jill ultimately agreed to take around 2,700 bulbs. Fellow coordinator Glennis Sims said six to eight local volunteers would pick and bundle the flowers just before 29 August.

On the day, community members will be able to buy a five-flower bundle for $5 or a single flower for $1 at Woolworths Katikati, The Busy Baker, ANZ Bank, and outside Subway and Family Mart, from 8am to 4pm. Donation boxes will also be available inside selected Katikati businesses throughout August. All proceeds go directly to the local division of the Cancer Society.

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty branch of the Cancer Society is not directly government funded, yet provides free services to people with cancer and their whānau — including transport to treatment, counselling, support groups, and accommodation near treatment centres. Across the region in the 2024/25 financial year, 3,724 clients received support, society vehicles covered an estimated 104,657 km transporting patients, and 17,145 nights' accommodation were provided to guests. The society also contributed $252,583 to local and national cancer research.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).