Increased living costs haven't stopped Central residents from digging deep for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day appeal.

The annual fundraiser returned to the streets of Central on Friday, giving people a chance to donate to the cause, while groups also came up with creative ways to pull in some dollars.

Among them was The Terrace School, which raised $471 with a mufti-day and barbecue fundraiser.

Puna Rangatahi, the Alexandra and District’s Youth Trust, joined in the efforts by hosting a bake sale in Roxburgh, which raised about $1000.

Daffodils are in bloom, the flower that represents the Cancer Society's annual appeal. PHOTO: Anna Winter

Trust manager Tash Kane said Roxburgh Area School students in the social studies class made the baking, while those in the Mahi Mātātoa, an adventure-based programme, also helped sell the baking alongside daffodils outside the town’s supermarket.

“As part of that programme is a volunteer day, so we reached out to Volunteer South, and they put us in touch with the Cancer Society.”

Fulton Hogan in collaboration with Soul Fitness gym also supported the cause with a collection, led by Anna Winter.

Members of Soul Fitness were among those who got behind Daffodil Day last Friday. PHOTO: Anna Winter

Anna, who is a department manager at Fulton Hogan and an active member of the gym, said about $650 cash was raised on the day, while more was donated via a QR code, but she was not sure exactly how much.

“The support I received from everyone was brilliant. It was quite overwhelming how generous people were and how many people are touched by cancer.”

Cancer Society Otago Southland volunteer partner Kelly Hoskin said final figures from the day had not yet been collated, but overall people were keen to give, and their support had created a “positive vibe” to the day.

“People are really pleased with how it went, which was good.”

This year’s theme for the Daffodil Day appeal is ‘one in three could be me’, highlighting the fact one in three people will get cancer in our lifetime and it does not discriminate.

Anyone who still wants to donate money to the cause can do so via the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day website.

The Central App also caught up with Southern Cancer Society head of funding Jonet Warhurst ahead of the appeal, who talked about the cause on The Outlet podcast.

Read more: Volunteers unite for Daffodil Day