Coles has raised more than $1.34 million for the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day campaign in August through donations and purchase of merchandise.
The biggest fundraising result for the program in Coles’ history, its customers have now raised more than $9 million since 1996 to support the Cancer Council Helpline.
Coles managing director Ian McLeod thanked customers for their generosity during the Daffodil Day campaign.
“We were delighted to raise over $1 million for Cancer Council this year,” he said.
“This is our biggest Daffodil Day fundraising result to date and demonstrates that cancer is a concern for all of us with most having a friend, relative or loved one receiving treatment or recovering from cancer at some time in our lives.
“We are proud to support the Cancer Council’s Helpline which is there to help everyone impacted by cancer, and is especially important in rural and remote areas of Australia where it is more difficult to access health services,” added McLeod.
Professor Ian Olver, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, said Daffodil Day was an important time to pay tribute to the many Australian families who have been touched by cancer, and acknowledged Coles’ support in raising funds and awareness.
“The ongoing generosity of Coles and its customers has played a valued role in funding the Cancer Council Helpline – an important free telephone resource for cancer patients, carers, friends, teachers and anyone wanting to learn more about cancer,” said Olver.
“Through this service we are able to communicate important prevention messages to the public and provide support for those in need.”
Sales of fresh daffodils were extremely popular with customers this year, with daffodil sales up 42 per cent overall from last year and 25 per cent higher during the week of Daffodil Day. One dollar from every bunch of daffodils sold during the campaign was donated to the Cancer Council.